US President Donald Trump says he expects the United States and Iran to reach an agreement shortly after America’s midterm elections in November, as tensions between the two countries continue to fuel uncertainty across the Middle East.
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Trump said he believes Tehran is waiting to see the outcome of the November 3 elections before making a deal with Washington.
“I believe we’ll make a deal right after the election,” Trump said, arguing that Iran had little reason to delay an agreement once the elections were over.
Trump also said he faces a major decision over how the United States will proceed with Iran, presenting a deal as an alternative to further military action.
He maintained that any agreement must prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and said Washington had already taken significant military action against Tehran’s nuclear programme.
The remarks come amid an ongoing conflict that has affected regional security and disrupted energy markets, particularly around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
The United States and Iran have also exchanged attacks in recent weeks. On September 6, US forces struck Iranian oil vessels after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched missiles at two US Navy ships, according to US Central Command. Iran subsequently threatened further attacks on American military assets in the region.
