Trump Rejects Return to Iran Nuclear Deal, Vows Economic Pressure Through November

US President Donald Trump has made it clear to international mediators that he will not return to the original Iran nuclear agreement. According to a report by the Wall Street Journal on August 28, 2026, Trump prefers to continue applying what he calls the "economic strangulation doctrine" against Iran, hoping that sustained sanctions will force Tehran to abandon its nuclear ambitions. The US administration intends to maintain or even intensify these sanctions at least until the US midterm elections in November.

Israeli security officials share concerns that Iran, feeling cornered by the mounting economic pressure and potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz, might retaliate militarily against American or Israeli targets in the Middle East. In response, the Israel Defense Forces and the US military are enhancing their operational and intelligence coordination to prepare for any possible Iranian military action. Israel remains on high alert, focusing on defense readiness and joint military responses to any escalation.

Former Mossad chief Dedi Barnea, speaking at a Jerusalem City Council event, endorsed the tough sanctions approach, calling it a necessary step toward the eventual fall of the Iranian regime. He emphasized that sanctions alone are insufficient and predicted that economic, political, and operational measures will need to escalate until the regime collapses. Barnea also highlighted that the Iranian issue has become a global concern, warning that failure to resolve it could lead to widespread threats through ballistic missiles, terrorism, or nuclear weapons development.

The central question facing Israeli and American policymakers is whether the economic pressure will compel Iran to negotiate or provoke a counterproductive escalation. For now, the US and Israel are aligned in their strategy of maximum pressure, with Trump unwilling to revisit the original nuclear deal framework.