World · Middle East · 9 hrs ago
Trump says further strikes on Iran are unlikely if talks progress
Trump says new strikes on Iran are unlikely if negotiations produce a strong agreement, but he says the US could attack again if necessary.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there was no sign of a breakthrough and called Iran's demands unrealistic.
The two sides disagree over the terms for peace: Iran wants the US to end its naval blockade and lift sanctions, while Washington wants Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and make concessions on its nuclear programme.
Iran's foreign minister has offered a two-day proposal that calls for ending the war on all fronts, and warned of escalation if the US chooses war.
The conflict began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, and fighting has since largely subsided.
The dispute matters beyond the two countries because the Strait of Hormuz is vital to global energy supplies, while both countries maintain blockades in the area.
Mediators have not recently resumed their visits, and Iran's foreign minister says it will take time to see how talks move forward.
US President Donald Trump said he was highly unlikely to order further strikes on Iran if negotiations make substantial progress.
Trump said a strong agreement would determine whether more attacks were necessary and said the US had identified potential infrastructure targets if strikes resumed.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he did not believe a breakthrough in talks was imminent, citing Iranian demands.
The two countries have disagreed over conditions for ending the conflict, including sanctions, the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear programme.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on November 8 that mediators had made no recent progress.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump said further strikes were unlikely if talks progress. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a breakthrough was not imminent.
- What
- Trump played down the prospect of new US strikes on Iran if negotiations progress, while talks remained stalled.
- When
- Sunday, November 8, 2026.
- Where
- The comments were made in a CNN phone interview and by officials speaking to reporters; the conflict concerns Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.
- Why
- Trump said the need for strikes depended on whether Iran signed a strong agreement. Rubio said Iranian demands were unacceptable and unrealistic.
The US government
Iran
Conditions for ending the conflict
The US government
Washington is pressing Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and make concessions on its nuclear programme.
Iran
Iran has said the US must end its naval blockade of Iranian ports on the Persian Gulf and lift sanctions as preconditions to peace talks.
Prospects for a deal
The US government
Trump said further strikes were highly unlikely if talks progressed, while Rubio said a breakthrough was not imminent.
Iran
Araghchi said there had been no recent activity or movement from mediators and called on the US to accept Iran’s proposal or face escalation.
The US-Israeli strikes on Iran that began the war, according to the Straits Times.
US midterm elections were held, with Trump acknowledging that the war played a role in Republicans’ defeat.
Trump told CNN that further strikes were highly unlikely if negotiations made substantial progress.
Araghchi said mediators had made no recent progress, according to the Straits Times.
Rubio said he did not believe a breakthrough in talks was imminent.
- Trump’s condition
- A very strong agreement with Iran
- Potential US targets
- 38 bridges
- US midterm election date
- November 3, 2026
- Iran’s reported preconditions
- End the US naval blockade of its Persian Gulf ports and lift sanctions
- US demands on Iran
- Reopen the Strait of Hormuz and make concessions on its nuclear programme
22 sources
UAE's Gargash warns of prolonged regional uncertainty, says US-Iran settlement appears difficult
Trump says he is highly unlikely to order Iran strikes if talks progress
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What people are saying
It depends on whether or not they sign a very strong agreement
The answer is: highly unlikely it will be necessary
I wouldn’t say we’re on the verge of a breakthrough
there has been no activity or movement from the mediators
Posts on X
American voters have made their choice. Time for the White House to make its own. Our 2-day proposal stands: meet the requirements, including end to war on all fronts, and you will see results. Or choose war, and see our alert and battle-hardened Warriors rain down hell.