Trump: Iran 'very active' in talks but unsatisfied; 'don't care about midterms'

President Donald Trump declared that Iran is actively pursuing a deal, though it remains unsatisfied for now, expressing optimism that an agreement will eventually be reached. Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Trump conveyed that while the current situation is not ideal, he believes it will become satisfactory.

Addressing potential political fallout from the Iran negotiations ahead of the November midterm elections, Trump asserted his detachment from electoral concerns. "I don't care about the midterms," he stated, suggesting that Iran might be attempting to leverage the elections to gain an advantage. He added, "Iran thinks it can outlast me, but they are wrong."

Trump reiterated his assessment of Iran's diminished capabilities, citing the collapse of its navy and air force, and its struggling economy. He claimed Iran's negotiating power is "almost at rock bottom." However, he also offered a somewhat ambiguous outlook on the negotiations, stating, "We may have to close the deal again, or we may not," leaving the progress uncertain.

Contrasting Trump's claims, The New York Times cited U.S. intelligence assessments indicating that Iran maintains operational missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz, suggesting its military strength may be greater than the president portrayed. This highlights a potential discrepancy between the administration's public statements and intelligence evaluations regarding Iran's capabilities and the state of negotiations.