Trump signals end to Iran conflict, but leaves door open to fresh strikes

WASHINGTON, Sep 28 : US President Donald Trump has said he expects the conflict with Iran to end soon, while declining to rule out the possibility of renewed American military strikes before the US midterm elections.

Speaking to Fox News on Sunday on the sidelines of the PGA Tour Presidents Cup, Trump said the central US objective remained preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

“I think what's going to happen is we're going to win this war very soon,” Trump said, adding that global oil prices could fall significantly once the conflict ends.

Asked whether the US could launch additional strikes before the midterm elections, Trump did not rule out the possibility.

“I mean, it's possible, but I just don't want to say that,” he said.

Trump said Washington was exerting pressure on Iran through a combination of military action and economic sanctions. He claimed the US had already achieved significant military gains and said Iran's economy had been severely damaged.

He also claimed that inflation in Iran had reached extremely high levels, citing a figure as high as 318 per cent. The claim was made by Trump and was not independently substantiated in his remarks.

The comments came a day after Trump rejected an Iranian proposal aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending the confrontation. However, in a separate interview with Axios on Sunday, Trump said US negotiators could hold further discussions with Iranian representatives during the week.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, speaking to NBC News' Meet the Press, said Tehran was prepared for renewed hostilities while maintaining that diplomacy remained possible.

“We are fully prepared for the war to be resumed,” Araghchi said, adding that Iran was prepared to confront further US action regardless of the timing of American elections.

At the same time, Araghchi said Tehran remained open to negotiations and urged Washington to choose between continued military confrontation and diplomacy.

He said Trump's rejection of the Iranian proposal had not been formally conveyed to Tehran through diplomatic channels.

According to Araghchi, Iran is seeking the release of frozen assets and the ability to continue selling its oil. He said reopening the Strait of Hormuz could form part of a negotiated settlement.

“If you ask us, there is no reason why we should go back to diplomacy,” Araghchi said, while adding that he was continuing diplomatic efforts because opportunities for peace should not be missed.