Trump says 'deal' with Iran not what he wants as US weighs fresh 'massive bombing'
A renewed US offensive could target Iranian energy, infrastructure and nuclear facilities, while the escalation may also affect the upcoming US midterm elections, Axios reports.
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (7 October) said he is no longer interested in reaching a deal with Iran, as reports indicate that Washington is considering fresh massive bombing against Tehran in the coming weeks.
Speaking at a campaign rally for Republican candidates in Texas' San Antonio, Trump said Iran was prepared to offer Washington almost anything to bring the conflict to an end, but he did not appear interested in pursuing an agreement.
"I think the deal isn't really something that I want to do," Trump said.
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He also said US special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, who has been involved in efforts to negotiate an agreement, had been "doing very well".
Trump's comments came after NBC News reported that the president and his national security team had discussed the possibility of restarting large-scale bombing against Iran. The report, citing a US official and another person familiar with the discussions, said such action could take place in the coming weeks.
Axios reported separately that a renewed US offensive could involve extensive bombing of Iranian energy facilities, infrastructure and nuclear sites. It also reported that a military escalation could have implications for the US midterm elections.
Trump's approval ratings have fallen to a record low amid growing public concern over the rising cost of living, including higher gasoline and diesel prices.
Earlier this week, Trump said Washington's main difficulty in negotiations was uncertainty over who was in charge in Iran. Iranian officials rejected the claim.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeli Baghaei said the situation was the opposite, pointing to what he described as "contradictory positions and mixed messaging" from US officials.
Meanwhile, crude oil prices have remained high despite Middle Eastern oil exports recovering to levels close to those seen before the conflict, according to data from Kpler.
Combined crude shipments leaving the Gulf, excluding Iran, along with exports from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, were about 18.5 million barrels per day, roughly matching pre-conflict levels.
Matt Wright, lead freight analyst at Kpler, said the market was unlikely to return to normal immediately.
"Normalisation no longer needs to wait for a deal," he said, predicting a "slower, uneven normalisation" as shipping activity adjusts to the ongoing conflict rather than waiting for a diplomatic breakthrough.
