US Envoy Suggests Weekend Strike on Iran, Cites Trump's Openness to Deal

U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy Tom Barrack stated that an attack on Iran this weekend is possible, but emphasized President Donald Trump's openness to negotiations. "President Trump has been very clear: he is open to a deal, and we have been around the negotiating table for months," Barrack said in an interview. Concurrently, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Wotz indicated that the U.S. is preparing for a prolonged confrontation with Iran, hoping that a combination of bombings and economic sanctions will compel Tehran to make significant concessions.

Wotz acknowledged that the U.S. might still be in a stalemate with Iran a year from now, without an agreement on its nuclear program or a return to the previous status quo regarding maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. "I do not intend to engage in hypothetical scenarios. One can hope they will come to the negotiating table seriously before then," Wotz told the Financial Times. He added that the U.S. President and Navy can maintain the blockade on Iranian ports for the foreseeable future and that the administration is working to tighten economic pressure.

President Trump has reiterated threats of a new attack on Iran following the U.S. midterm elections on November 3rd. "We can end this very quickly, but Iran is a failing country. In fact, last week we exported more oil than before the war. This is a significant turning point. The question is whether we want to end it or let it continue. We are getting everything we want," Trump stated. The conflict, initially predicted by Trump to last four to five weeks, is approaching its ninth month, having caused a surge in fuel prices and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

The war has also negatively impacted Trump's popularity, with approval ratings dropping to around 31% less than two weeks before the midterm elections. The Republican Party faces the risk of losing control of both houses of Congress due to public frustration over high prices. To mitigate fuel costs, Trump recently reached an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to allow the sale of Russian diesel to the U.S., a move criticized by Western leaders who fear it will fund Russia's war in Ukraine.

Wotz defended the diesel deal, citing a global shortage of refined petroleum products affecting various sectors and causing a humanitarian crisis in East Africa. He stated that Trump is balancing global energy needs, specifically diesel. Wotz also suggested the funds could incentivize Russia to negotiate seriously to end the war.

Earlier this week, The New York Times reported that U.S. and Israeli militaries have developed detailed plans for renewed strikes on Iran after the U.S. midterm elections. These preparations involve a "short and intense" operation targeting nuclear and energy facilities, as well as missile and drone sites. Iranian officials are aware of these plans and are developing their own response tactics, threatening to attack data centers and undersea internet cables, warning that any conflict will not be short. Political commentator Fayman Salehi suggested Iran might target major Saudi refineries, like those of Saudi Aramco, to cause a sharp rise in oil prices, which he believes is Iran's most effective leverage against Trump.

The New York Times clarified that no U.S. decision to attack has been made. Previously, the Financial Times reported that the IDF had prepared for several days of conflict with Iran about a week and a half prior, but Trump opposed renewing hostilities before the midterms, halting the operation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later denied this report.