Following a White House meeting with Qatar's prime minister, President Donald Trump declared the war to be effectively over and claimed momentum is building toward a resolution. This shift in tone comes directly after the Republican Party lost to Democrats in the November 3 midterm elections, where opponents campaigned on the war and surging energy costs. However, Iranian officials have rejected this optimistic narrative, highlighting persistent friction between the two nations. Former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Mohsen Rezaei, who currently leads Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, openly challenged Trump’s portrayal of the ongoing negotiations.
Key points
Domestic political fallout from midterm election losses has motivated the current America…: Domestic political fallout from midterm election losses has motivated the current American pivot away from launching new strikes.
Disagreement over acceptable settlement terms continues to stall formal peace, with Washi…: Disagreement over acceptable settlement terms continues to stall formal peace, with Washington dismissing Tehran's proposals as absurd.
Conflicting statements from American and Iranian leadership indicate that diplomatic effo…: Conflicting statements from American and Iranian leadership indicate that diplomatic efforts remain contested despite claims of ending hostilities.
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US says no need for new attacks but calls Iran's peace terms 'absurd'
10 November 2026 20:59 GMT
The US is downplaying the chances of a fresh attack against Iran even as it characterises Tehran’s conditions for a political settlement as “absurd”.
US President Donald Trump said on Monday after meeting Qatar’s prime minister at the White House that the war was “effectively over” and that there was “momentum” to end the conflict.
Trump has used deescalatory language since the Republican Party was badly defeated in US midterm elections on 3 November by the Democrats, who campaigned against the war and rising energy prices.
But Trump’s characterisation of ongoing talks was directly disputed by Mohsen Rezaei, a former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander who is secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
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