Iran faces more strikes if talks fail – Trump
Washington, Oct. 2026 – President Donald Trump on Wednesday said the United States is prepared to launch another round of military strikes against Iran if negotiations fail, as regional mediators scramble to secure a deal before a potential U.S.-Israeli offensive following the midterm elections.
“We need to finish the job — either through a deal or another way — we will find out if negotiations can succeed,” Trump told Axios.
The warning came as Qatar leads a diplomatic push to convince Tehran to reopen its damaged nuclear facilities to United Nations inspectors in exchange for limited sanctions relief, Axios reported, citing U.S., Israeli and regional sources.
Without an agreement, American and Israeli officials are preparing for a possible weeklong bombing campaign targeting Iran’s leadership, nuclear facilities, energy installations, and other infrastructure, Axios reported.
Israeli military chief Gen. Eyal Zamir discussed preparations Monday with U.S. Central Command commander Adm. Brad Cooper, according to the report.
Qatar’s diplomatic effort has support from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey, whose officials are pressing Tehran to accept a deal before military operations resume.
Qatari negotiator Ali al-Thawadi visited Tehran this week to discuss proposals addressing Washington’s demand that Iran surrender its enriched uranium stockpile, a regional source told Axios.
Iran, however, wants the United States to first lift its naval blockade and release frozen Iranian assets, the source said.
Saudi, Turkish, and Pakistani security officials also reportedly visited Tehran to warn about the possibility of renewed military strikes.
Iranian officials indicated they would seek Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei’s approval of the proposals within days, the regional source said.
Saudi officials subsequently urged the White House to give negotiations more time, citing Tehran’s concerns about another offensive after Election Day, a U.S. official told Axios.
One proposal would revive a September 2025 agreement allowing International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to visit Iranian nuclear facilities.
The agreement was suspended after U.N. sanctions were reinstated the following month.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi told the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday that restoring the agreement could provide a framework for renewed inspections.
In exchange, Tehran could receive limited oil-sale exemptions and access to frozen funds for humanitarian purchases, the regional source said.
“There is some movement. We are waiting for the Iranian response,” the source told Axios.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi maintained Wednesday that Tehran remains open to diplomacy.
“While our Brave Armed Forces are fully prepared to defend the Homeland, Iran continues to give diplomacy a chance to succeed,” Araghchi wrote on X.
Trump discussed Iran with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House envoy Steve Witkoff Tuesday before reviewing developments with national security officials Wednesday, U.S. officials told Axios.
A White House official warned that Iran faces further military action unless it changes course.
“As the President stated, they have been systematically destroyed, both militarily and financially, and unless they change their ways, rapidly, we will soon finish the job,” the official told Axios.
