Iran Deliberately Stalling Peace Talks to Undermine Trump Ahead of Midterms, Officials Say

Senior Iranian officials have admitted that the regime is intentionally prolonging peace negotiations with the United States to weaken President Trump's political standing before the upcoming November midterm elections. Three Iranian officials and an insider told Reuters that Tehran has concluded Trump cannot be trusted and is likely to launch attacks after the elections, prompting the negotiating team to delay progress until after the president suffers a political setback.

"Iran is preparing for renewed Israeli and US attacks, not for a deal with America to end the war," one official stated. "The clerical establishment is determined not to give Trump a political victory."

The war, which is approaching its ninth month, has become a political tool for Iran to target Trump. The regime has even urged American voters to send a message to the president through their midterm election choices. The protracted conflict has contributed to rising fuel prices, drawing criticism that has affected Republicans leading up to the Nov. 3 elections.

Despite Trump's assertions that fuel prices would decrease post-election, including through a proposed Russian diesel deal, a clear path to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has increased its attacks, remains uncertain. Officials also indicated that Iran is avoiding any concessions that could politically benefit Trump, with no breakthroughs anticipated before the elections.

Instead, Iran is pushing for a one-sided ceasefire that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade and sanctions against Tehran. Furthermore, Iran is reportedly preparing for a large-scale retaliation campaign in the Middle East, operating under the assumption that Trump will intensify strikes in the region following the election.