Trending
US President Donald Trump may become more inclined to approve a large-scale military operation against Iran if Republicans perform poorly in next week’s midterm elections, according to a report published on Friday.
A US official told Axios that Trump could consider a bold move if he felt politically embarrassed or sidelined. The official said Iranian officials were receiving a message that their best opportunity to reach a deal with Washington was now.
However, a White House official rejected the suggestion that election results would influence Trump’s decisions on Iran. The official told the outlet that the midterms would not factor into the president’s calculations.
Qatari mediators reportedly spent more than 12 hours in Tehran on Friday, maintaining regular contact with the White House as they sought to revive direct negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
A diplomatic source described the discussions as showing “positive progress”. Talks are expected to continue in Doha on Saturday.
Negotiations remain stalled over competing demands.
Alphabet Shares Plunge Nearly 13%, Erasing $482 Billion in Market Value
Washington wants Iran to make nuclear concessions before returning to negotiations. Tehran, meanwhile, wants the US to lift its naval blockade, release frozen funds and allow Iranian oil sales.
According to the report, Qatar is urging Iran to permit UN inspectors to access bombed nuclear facilities in exchange for limited sanctions relief.
The report also highlighted differing positions within Trump’s administration over how to deal with Iran.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are reportedly sceptical of an agreement. They favour further weakening Iran’s leadership.
Vice President JD Vance and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are said to support restarting negotiations.
The diplomatic efforts are unfolding amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran, particularly over the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for global energy shipments.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a strong response to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, saying that “red lines” were “a thing of the past”.
Araghchi also responded to concerns about the economic cost of the conflict for Europe. He said the reported €100 billion cost was insignificant compared with the damage Iran’s armed forces could inflict on those who attacked the country.
According to Clash Report, Merz said the conflict had increased Europe’s costs over the past eight months, primarily through higher energy prices.
Merz reportedly said Europe had an economic interest in ending the conflict as quickly as possible.
Araghchi also criticised the German chancellor’s reported support for US-Israeli strikes against Iran, accusing him of backing actions that amounted to “doing Europe’s dirty work”.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said a crude oil tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile while completing an outbound transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
The agency said it received information about the incident from a verified source.
Its initial report did not identify the vessel or disclose the exact location of the strike. It also provided no details about the crew’s condition.
Authorities are investigating the incident. UKMTO advised vessels operating in the area to exercise caution and report suspicious activity.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said a fourth oil tanker had struck a mine and caught fire while attempting to use an unauthorised route through the Strait of Hormuz.
The IRGC’s public relations office said the supertanker was carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil.
According to the statement, the vessel ignored repeated radio warnings against using the southern passage. The navy claimed a mine struck the tanker, triggering an explosion and fire.
The IRGC described the incident as the fourth tanker fire in the strait since early Friday. The claim has not been independently verified.
Oman said it had medically evacuated an injured crew member from an Indian boat targeted in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Directorate of Moral Guidance said the Royal Air Force of Oman carried out the evacuation in coordination with relevant authorities.
The injured crew member was transferred from Khasab Hospital in Musandam to Khawla Hospital in Muscat for specialised treatment.
The Royal Navy of Oman had earlier reported evacuating 25 crew members from a commercial vessel that caught fire after an attack.
The vessel was reportedly 1.6 nautical miles off the coast of Musandam.
The incidents underline the growing security risks in the Strait of Hormuz, as diplomatic efforts continue and tensions between Iran and the United States remain high.
[…] Trump Could Consider Major Iran Strike After Midterm Setback, Report Says […]