In brief
Tensions between Washington and Tehran remain acute as U.S. midterm elections begin. Both sides have issued stern warnings and outlined demands, while regional powers in Qatar and Egypt ramp up mediation efforts. Trump has weighed options, with reports suggesting he may consider a large‑scale attack after the elections.
U.S. midterm elections began on Tuesday, and tensions between Washington and Tehran are still acute. Both sides have issued sharp warnings and set conditions for a potential settlement, while Qatar and Egypt have stepped up diplomatic efforts to prevent a new flare‑up.
Iranian Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Ali Abdollahi, warned via Xinhua on Tuesday that Iran’s forces would respond immediately to any U.S. or Israeli threat, “without geographical limitations.”
Ali Abdollahi said the armed forces would act “without geographical limitations.”
Mohsen Rezaei, a member of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, posted on X that the U.S. response was unsatisfactory and that only a full, explicit answer to Iran’s seven conditions would reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Rezaei said, “They must completely and explicitly address Iran’s seven conditions and act upon them. Only in this case the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened.”
The Iranian Foreign Ministry’s spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, said Monday that the country had shortened the period for implementing the seven‑day plan from seven to two days, a move it described as “good faith.”
Donald Trump, speaking in a phone interview with Axios, said he was “in no rush” to decide whether to resume military action against Iran.
Trump told Axios, “One way or the other, we will do something, but there is no rush. We crippled them financially.”He later wrote on Truth Social that Iran was seeking a settlement, a potential deal could happen soon.
White House officials diverge on strategy. Vice President J.D. Vance and envoy Steve Witkoff push for diplomacy, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth favor renewed military operations. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Secretary of State Marco Rubio insist on keeping the current “no war, no deal” status quo. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump was leaning toward a large‑scale attack on Iran after the elections.
Regional mediation continues, with Qatar and Egypt intensifying diplomatic efforts to avert renewed hostilities. The U.S. has conducted limited strikes on Iranian territory in the past days, heightening the risk of escalation.
