In brief
In Washington on Nov. 2, 2026, President Donald Trump said he may abandon the threat of renewed strikes on Iran, citing a possible negotiated settlement. Vice President J.D. Vance echoed confidence in progress but emphasized the need for Iran to commit to halting its nuclear program. Both officials pointed to ongoing Doha talks and called for continued efforts to de‑escalate the conflict.
On November 2, 2026, President Donald Trump told reporters in Washington that he was “no” to renewing military strikes on Iran after the U.S. mid‑term elections, hinting the administration might abandon the threat if a negotiated settlement materialized.
The remarks came after a speech at the Reflecting Pool and followed days of talks between Iranian negotiators and Qatari mediators in Doha, where the parties have been working toward a deal that would end the ninth‑month conflict.
Trump said that Iran wants to make a deal and that such an agreement “could happen,” and noted that the war has been blamed for high gasoline prices that are weighing on voters. He reiterated a demand that Iran never possess a nuclear weapon, saying the United States will not allow it.
“Look, the president and I both feel pretty good about the prospects for potentially coming to a negotiated settlement. We’re going to keep on working at it,” Trump said.
Trump’s quote was reported by Reuters.
Vice President J.D. Vance echoed the president’s optimism, telling reporters that Washington has made “progress” in talks. He stressed that no deadlines have been set, that kinetic and non‑kinetic options remain, and that a verifiable commitment from Iran not to rebuild its nuclear program is essential.
“The Iranians are always a little unpredictable, and as the president always says, he retains kinetic options. He retains non‑kinetic options, but we’ve certainly made some progress. We’ll see if we can make some more,” Vance told reporters.
Vance’s remarks were reported by Anadolu Agency.
Both Trump and Vance emphasized that U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran in February had already altered the strategic calculus, but they said they would not rush to resume direct military action. The comments underline Washington’s effort to blend diplomatic engagement with readiness to use force if necessary.
While the administration presents the possibility of a settlement, Iranian negotiators have been described by Trump and Vance as “unpredictable,” and the deal remains subject to a commitment that Iran leaves its nuclear program intact.
Earlier this month, Israeli and U.S. forces carried out strikes on Iranian facilities on February 28, 2026, provoking retaliation across the region and heightening tensions that have persisted despite a memorandum signed between Washington and Tehran in June.
