Trump mixes Iran threats, strikes and deal talk after Republicans’ midterm loss
After Tuesday’s midterms, Donald Trump has mixed threats, further strikes and talk of a settlement, blaming his unpopular war on Iran in part for a devastating Republican defeat and the loss of both houses of Congress. On Thursday he told reporters the United States may have to “destroy” what remains of Iran and that people would “know soon enough” if he acts. On Friday, U.S. forces carried out what he called “minor strikes” against Iranian air defences, and he confirmed military strikes on Qeshm Island. Iran’s official news agency IRNA reported two missiles had again hit the island in the Strait of Hormuz; Iranian state media said the strikes were in the Suza area. That follows what Washington described as defensive strikes earlier this week on an island seen as a primary Iranian naval base housing “missile cities.” The United States says it is targeting missile launch systems. On Monday an unnamed U.S. official told AP the strikes were meant to stop Iranians using surface-to-air missiles against U.S. assets. Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported an army statement that air defences intercepted and destroyed a U.S. MQ-9 drone over the island. U.S. Central Command said the situation was “relatively calm” after reports of explosions.
The same Friday, Trump said Washington was talking to Iranian representatives, that “we’ve made a lot of progress with Iran,” and that “they want to make a deal.” On Saturday, Majed al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, dismissed claims on X that U.S.-Iran talks had failed. Trump has refused Iran’s conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, including lifting sanctions, unfreezing assets, ending the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports, and guaranteeing an end to attacks. The United Kingdom’s Times reported Iran is distributing iodine tablets near nuclear sites; a Ministry of Health official said Trump can no longer be trusted. Tablets are typically issued within 2–3 kilometres of facilities. The Young Journalists Club said Friday they were being given to residents of Bushehr, home to Iran’s only operating nuclear power plant. A journalist cited a briefing that a U.S. nuclear strike on the fortified Pickaxe Mountain site was being seriously considered. The State Department’s Rewards for Justice programme offered up to $20 million and possible relocation for information on Iran’s nuclear programme.
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