With shifting Iran rhetoric following U.S. elections, Trump leaves Middle East in limbo about path ahead

Since Republican losses in the midterm elections, President Donald Trump has sent mixed signals about the Iran war, saying major new strikes are unlikely and that the US no longer needs a deal, while also warning Tehran that American forces are ready to act. The uncertainty has left allies and mediators unclear about the path ahead, as they face economic fallout from a conflict they were not consulted about before it began.

Trump said the war was “militarily” effectively over, but later warned he would act if needed and said the US was monitoring a site linked to Iran’s nuclear programme. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said economic pressure was weakening Iran, while Qatar is still trying to secure an interim agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil and gas. Trump is expected to discuss Iran and nuclear stockpiles with China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin at a planned summit in Shenzhen.