Iran Prolongs Talks to Influence US Midterms in November, Officials Say

Senior Iranian officials stated that they are intentionally dragging out talks with the US to politically weaken President Donald Trump ahead of the upcoming US midterm elections in November. It was stated that deep distrust toward Washington and fears of military action played a role in Tehran avoiding a quick deal.

Three senior Iranian officials and an Iranian source, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that Tehran believes the US is prepared to resort to renewed strikes to break the stalemate in the eight-month-long war. One of the officials said, "Iran is not preparing for an American deal that would end the war, but for renewed Israeli and US strikes. The clerical establishment is determined not to grant Trump a political victory." Meanwhile, Tehran-based analyst Saeed Leylaz stated that by prolonging the talks, Iran is influencing the US elections without engaging in an illegal act.

The war, which began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February, has sent Trump's approval ratings plummeting to record lows amid polls indicating that voters worried about high gasoline prices could punish the Republican Party in the November 3 congressional elections. While Trump has repeatedly stated that he expects oil prices to drop after the elections, he has not presented a detailed plan for ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which was closed by Iran. On the other hand, the Tehran administration, within the framework of a "seven-day plan" conveyed through Qatari intermediaries, demands that conditions such as lifting the naval blockade, easing oil export restrictions, releasing frozen assets, and ending clashes on all fronts be met.