Iran regional confrontation

Trump says US military action against Iran could resume after the midterms if no agreement is reached

This version is a correction.

DEVELOPMENT
Location
United States
Actors
United States · Iran
Importance
Standard

In an interview published in TIME, Donald Trump said US military action against Iran could resume after the midterm elections if Tehran and Washington fail to reach a satisfactory agreement, saying he did not think peace with Iran was ever possible. He said the US would win the war right after the election, or possibly before it.

Verification: Confirmed

Evidence: Live Updates: Trump says Iran 'ready to fold up,' after threatening post-midterm attacks, US to send 3rd carrier strike group to Middle East as Iran tensions rise: Report

CBS News and Anadolu Agency both carry the remarks attributed to Trump in a TIME interview published on 1 October 2026. The statements were given on the record and the two outlets agree on the substance, but neither retained source states the exact time of the interview or of publication.