President Trump stated on Wednesday that the United States is not under pressure to reach a deal with Iran, particularly one that would be unfavorable to the U.S., despite the ongoing conflict and its potential impact on the upcoming midterm elections.
"A negotiation could possibly happen, but it’s not something we’re looking at," Trump said. He insisted that the American public understands the necessity of continuing the military engagement until the U.S. eliminates the possibility of Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon. "I think it’s very easy to explain to America, all you have to do is say: ‘Will you let Iran have a nuclear weapon?’ And the answer is no," Trump added.
Public sentiment in the U.S. shows growing weariness regarding the war. A late August Reuters/Ipsos poll indicated that only 31% of Americans supported U.S. strikes on Iran, while 63% opposed them. Furthermore, 83% of those surveyed expect U.S. military involvement in Iran to continue for an extended period. Concerns about the economic impact of the conflict are also prevalent, with 61% of respondents in an August Politico poll believing the war has increased expenses for their families.
The President suggested that the Iranian government might be prolonging the conflict in the hope of negatively affecting Republican political prospects in the midterm elections.