OCTOBER 20, 2026 14:31

Senior officials report that Iran has intentionally stretched out discussions with the United States to undermine Donald Trump politically before the November midterm elections. Worries about fresh military strikes and strong distrust of Washington have increased Tehran's unwillingness to reach a fast agreement ending the conflict.

Three senior Iranian officials and an insider, who spoke anonymously, indicated that Tehran believes the US president may launch new attacks to resolve the deadlock in the eight-month conflict.

"Iran is getting ready for possible renewed Israeli and US strikes rather than pursuing a deal with America to halt the fighting," one official stated. "The clerical leadership aims to deny Trump any political win."

Tehran analyst Saeed Leylaz noted that extending the talks lets "Iran influence the US election without taking any unlawful action."

Iran Seeks to Use Trump's Political Challenges

The conflict, which started in February with US and Israeli strikes on Iran, has pushed Trump's approval ratings to historic lows. Polls show many Americans concerned about rising fuel costs may penalize his Republican Party in the November 3 congressional votes.

Trump has often predicted oil prices will fall after the elections but has not provided a clear strategy to stop the fighting or reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route blocked by Iran since the war began.

Iranian threats and actions have reduced ship traffic in the strait to minimal levels. A US naval blockade and trade sanctions have halted Iran's oil export income and worsened its domestic economic troubles.

Since Tehran refuses concessions that could help Trump politically, officials see little chance of progress before the elections.

Pressed by Israel, Washington wants Iran's long-running nuclear program, described by Iran as peaceful but viewed by Western powers as having possible military aspects, included in talks from the start.

Tehran demands a "seven-day plan" be completed before nuclear talks start and shows no sign of giving up its control over the Strait of Hormuz gained during the conflict.

Iran's Foreign Ministry and the US White House did not reply to requests for comment.

Iran Lacks Trust in Washington, Official States

Iran's offer, sent through Qatari mediators, proposed reopening the strait within seven days while keeping Iranian oversight, if Washington ended its naval blockade, eased limits on Iranian oil sales, freed frozen assets and stopped all fighting.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Sunday the offer stays available, with messages continuing through mediators.

Tehran's belief that Washington cannot be trusted comes from past attacks that disrupted earlier talks, according to one Iranian official.

In June 2025, an Israeli strike ended plans for a sixth round of US-Iran nuclear talks in Oman. Last February, the US and Israel began their war right after another round of talks concluded, with more technical meetings planned.

Keeping a middle state between war and peace through the US midterms lets Iran maintain pressure on Washington while stressing its diplomatic commitment.

Trump has stated the US will not strike Iran again before November 3. Yet officials said Tehran still expects bombing to resume eventually.

Alex Vatanka, director of the Iran program at the Middle East Institute in Washington, said the clerical leadership clearly wants to damage Trump politically.

"The core problem is that Tehran thinks Trump seeks regime change and follows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's approach of trying to topple Iran's ruling system," he said.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth discussed Iran with Netanyahu on Monday, three Israeli officials said, during an unannounced visit to Israel a week before a parliamentary election where Netanyahu's position faces risk.

Return to Prewar Conditions Impossible for Iran, Analyst Says

Iran's approach of keeping talks going without rushing to agreement carries costs.

Extended uncertainty hurts Iran's already damaged economy and reduces public tolerance. Thousands died at the start of the year when security forces ended spreading anti-government protests.

Yearly inflation reached 73.6 percent in September, per the Statistical Centre of Iran, and the rial has dropped nearly 35 percent against the dollar since Washington restarted its naval blockade in July.

Iran's sea-based crude exports dropped to zero in the second week of September from a 14-day average of 230,000 barrels per day at the month's start and stayed at that level as of October 5, according to energy intelligence platform Vortexa.

Yet the leadership's distrust of Washington goes beyond the current conflict to deeper concerns. Iran thinks the US has broken deals even when Tehran kept its promises, Leylaz said, leaving little faith that any broad agreement would last.

"A lasting deal with the US, even after the Trump administration, is no longer possible due to increased distrust," Leylaz said. "Nothing will return to the pre-war situation."