President Donald Trump stated Wednesday that the United States is not currently negotiating with Iran to end the ongoing conflict, adding that something will happen fairly soon as military preparations and strike plans are considered following hostilities.
The diplomatic freeze and fresh warnings come as the conflict between Washington and Tehran, which began on February 28, 2026, enters a tense phase. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, President Trump dismissed the idea of active talks upon returning from a rally in South Carolina, signaling that a shift in the standoff is approaching.
Trump Denies Active Talks and Signals Imminent Action
When asked by NewsNation correspondent Libbey Dean whether negotiations with Tehran were ongoing, the president offered a blunt assessment.
No, I think we’re not negotiating…we are going to have something, one way or the other. It’ll happen fairly soon.
Trump added that while some observers believe developments will unfold after the U.S. midterm elections, his administration is watching closely as the political calendar dictates timing. He also maintained that the United States has successfully pressured Tehran on both economic and financial fronts, asserting that Tehran would never possess a nuclear weapon.
In his remarks, Trump noted that the United States could end the conflict immediately if desired, but stressed that officials want to guarantee a lasting outcome. He claimed that the nation has performed exceptionally well militarily and financially against Iran in what he termed a smaller conflict.
Military Plans and Strategic Leverages Over the Strait of Hormuz
Behind the political rhetoric, military planning continues to escalate. According to reporting by The New York Times cited across international coverage, the U.S. and Israeli militaries have drawn up specific plans for renewed, short, but intensive strikes targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and missile and drone arsenals following the midterm elections.
The reporting indicates that the United States is assembling a substantial military force expected to be fully in place by early November, including three aircraft carriers, thousands of Marines, and fighter jets.
The key maritime energy route was effectively closed after Tehran responded to the outbreak of war in February with regional missile and drone attacks.
A memorandum of understanding signed in June through Pakistani and Qatari mediation has stalled due to sharp disagreements, particularly regarding navigation rights within the strait.
It’ll end very soon. We could leave now, but we want to make sure it lasts for a long time.
Tehran Warns of New Weapons Amid Regional Tensions
Iranian officials have responded to the mounting pressure with warnings of their own.
Amid escalating tensions in West Asia and reports of impending operations, Tehran has threatened to unveil a weapon it refers to as the father of all bombs. As military preparations and diplomatic efforts continue alongside political considerations—including Trump’s earlier pledge not to strike Iran before the midterm elections—concerns persist over a wider regional conflict.
While White House officials continue to decline comment on military plans that may or may not exist
, Iranian negotiators remain steadfast in resisting concessions on the nuclear issue, insisting that the matter be deferred until later in talks as uncertainty remains over the final decisions in Washington.