WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States is winning its war with Iran and "can leave right now," even as efforts to negotiate an end to the eight-month conflict remain deadlocked two weeks before the November 3 midterm elections.
Talks at a standstill
Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed mediation efforts but warned that a peace deal with Tehran is "extremely difficult," adding that the final decision rests with the president. Three senior Iranian officials told Reuters that Tehran has deliberately prolonged talks to weaken Trump politically before the vote, and that Iran believes Washington may resort to renewed strikes to break the stalemate.
The war at home
The conflict began in February when the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran. It has helped push Trump's approval to a record low of 31% in a Reuters/Ipsos poll, as Americans frustrated by high gasoline prices signal they may punish Republicans at the ballot box. Iran has openly taunted Trump over fuel costs, while administration hawks press for new attacks, including on Iran's already-battered nuclear sites, according to The New York Times.
What comes next
With votes in Congress on the war now a centerpiece of campaign attack ads, both parties are treating the conflict as a defining issue of the midterms. Whether Trump opts for a deal, a withdrawal or escalation could shape the outcome on November 3.
Sources: Reuters, ABC News, Al Jazeera, The New York Times, PBS NewsHour. Images are AI-generated illustrations.
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