World · Middle East · 14 hrs ago
Iran is prolonging US talks to pressure Trump before midterm elections, officials say
Iranian officials say Tehran is prolonging talks with the United States to weaken President Donald Trump before the November 3 midterm elections.
The war began in February with US and Israeli strikes on Iran, and officials say Tehran fears the attacks could resume.
Iran and the United States remain at odds over how to end the conflict, with Washington seeking to discuss Iran’s nuclear program from the start and Tehran insisting its conditions come first.
Iran has offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days, but only if the United States lifts its maritime blockade, eases limits on Iranian oil exports, releases frozen assets and ends hostilities.
The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, disrupting a vital route for global energy shipments and contributing to pressure on oil prices.
Iran is not offering to give up its control over the strait, and officials see little chance of a breakthrough before the US elections.
Iran has deliberately prolonged talks with the United States to weaken President Donald Trump politically before the November midterm elections, senior Iranian officials say.
The officials say Tehran expects renewed US and Israeli attacks and does not trust Washington to sustain diplomacy.
The war, which began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and contributed to pressure on oil prices.
Washington wants Iran’s nuclear program discussed from the outset, while Tehran says its conditions for reopening the strait must be met before nuclear negotiations begin.
- Who
- Iran and the United States. Senior Iranian officials say Tehran is prolonging the talks.
- What
- Iran is prolonging negotiations, partly to put political pressure on Trump before the US midterms.
- When
- The report was published on October 20, 2026. The midterm elections are scheduled for November 3.
- Where
- The talks concern the United States and Iran; the Strait of Hormuz is central to the dispute.
- Why
- Iranian officials cite distrust of Washington and fears of renewed attacks. They also say Tehran does not want to give Trump a political victory.
Iran
United States
Negotiation sequence
Iran
Iran says its conditions under a seven-day plan must be met before nuclear negotiations begin.
United States
Washington wants Iran’s nuclear program on the table from the outset.
Strait of Hormuz
Iran
Iran’s proposal offers to reopen the strait within seven days under Iranian control, if the US lifts its maritime blockade and meets other conditions.
United States
The US has imposed a maritime blockade; the sources do not state Washington’s response to the proposal.
An Israeli attack derailed plans for a sixth round of US-Iran nuclear talks in Oman.
The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, beginning the war, according to the Times of Israel.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran’s proposal to reopen the strait remained on the table.
Reports said Iranian officials viewed prolonging talks as a way to pressure Trump before the midterms.
The US midterm elections are scheduled to take place.
- War began
- February 28, 2026
- US midterm election
- November 3, 2026
- Iran proposal
- Reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days, under Iranian control
- Iran proposal conditions
- Lift the US maritime blockade, ease restrictions on Iranian oil exports, release frozen assets and end hostilities on all fronts
- Talks in Oman
- A planned sixth round was derailed by an Israeli attack in June 2025
3 sources
What people are saying
Iran is preparing for renewed Israeli and US attacks, not for a deal with America to end the war
The clerical establishment is determined not to give Trump a political victory.
Iran is influencing the US election without taking any unlawful action.