Veterans & National Security · Report · File No. 261108-638
Trump says new Iran strikes 'highly unlikely' if talks progress; Iran's offer stands
Trump says he probably won't restart open war if talks on Iran's nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz move forward, but he is still threatening strikes. Iran says its two-day proposal to end the war stands. Gas prices, U.S. troops and a new Democratic Congress all hang on the outcome.
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President Donald Trump said Sunday that restarting open war with Iran is "highly unlikely" as long as talks to limit Iran's nuclear program and reopen the Strait of Hormuz make progress. He made the comments in an interview with CNN. He also warned he could still strike if he decides it is necessary 1.
The war is now more than eight months old. It has stoked inflation and sent oil prices surging, with repeated bursts of fighting separated by ceasefires and peace talks 1. Many people had speculated that Trump might restart open conflict after the midterm elections, where Republicans lost badly to Democrats 1.
What Trump said
It depends on whether or not they sign a very strong agreement
Trump also repeated his threats to hit Iranian bridges and power plants if the war resumes 1. He said three aircraft carriers are in place and "fully locked and loaded" 1. He added that the U.S. has 38 bridges in its sights that it could knock down "in literally one hour" 1.
Later on Truth Social, Trump said "Task Force Iron Gate is in full force and effect" in Iran. Central Command, which runs U.S. military operations in the region, announced the task force Saturday. It is meant to stop weapons, sanctioned materials and illegal revenue from moving across Iran's land borders and the Caspian Sea 1. The U.S. has also kept a naval blockade of Iranian ports for months 1.
From Channel GOPTrump's 'find 11,780 votes' call played at hearingDonald Trump · 306 plays · captioned, with the source named
Iran's answer
Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said Sunday on X that Tehran's two-day proposal to end the war remains on the table 2. He said the requirements include an end to the war on all fronts 2. He also warned of a military response if Washington resumes attacks 2.
Our 2-day proposal stands
Araghchi tied his message to the U.S. election, saying "American voters have made their choice." He said it was now time for the White House to make its own 2. Qatar, which is mediating, denied Saturday reports that the two sides had failed to reach a deal 2. Reports differ on the exact terms of Iran's offer, and the Middle East Monitor article lists only the one condition above 2.
Why it matters
An end to the war and a reopened Strait of Hormuz would likely ease oil prices. But every earlier attempt to end the war and reopen the strait has ended in disappointment 1.
That matters because Trump now faces more pressure to end the conflict. Democrats have won control of both the House and the Senate 1. Some Republicans are also likely to want the war over, given the role high gas prices played in their losses 1.
Trump has demanded that Iran fully open the strait and agree never to develop a nuclear weapon as part of any deal 1. What happens next depends on whether the two sides can turn the two-day proposal and Trump's conditions into a signed agreement. If they can't, Trump has made clear that strikes remain an option 12.
The Record
- Republicans lost badly to Democrats in the midterm elections, and Democrats won control of the House and Senate 1.
- Central Command announced Task Force Iron Gate, aimed at stopping weapons and illegal revenue from crossing Iran's land borders and the Caspian Sea 1.
- Trump told CNN renewed war is "highly unlikely" if talks progress, and Iran's foreign minister said its two-day proposal stands 12.
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Sources
- CNBC, “Trump says renewed Iran strikes 'highly unlikely' if talks progress but warns he could still strike” (2026-11-08). cnbc.com/2026/11/08/trump-iran-strikes-unlikely-talks-hormuz
- Middle East Monitor, “Iran says 2-day proposal stands, warns US against renewed attacks” (2026-11-08). middleeastmonitor.com/20261108-iran-says-2-day-proposal-stan
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The president called the attack on a Strait of Hormuz site 'minor' while Iran's president said 'no one will benefit from this war.' The strikes land on Election Day, with talks still underway and gas at $4.17 a gallon.
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