Trump says US not negotiating with Iran, hints at imminent development

US President Donald Trump has said Washington is not negotiating with Iran, warning that “something one way or the other” would happen “fairly soon” as uncertainty persists over the future of the conflict.

“We are going to have something one way or the other that’ll happen fairly soon,” Trump told reporters on Wednesday after returning from a rally in South Carolina, adding that many people expected developments after the US midterm elections.

Speaking at the rally, Trump said the United States could end its war with Iran immediately but wanted to ensure that any outcome would be lasting.

“It’ll end very soon. We could leave now, but we want to make sure it lasts for a long time,” he said.

Trump claimed that Washington had defeated Iran militarily and financially, insisting that Tehran would “never have a nuclear weapon.”

His remarks came after The New York Times reported that the US and Israeli militaries had drawn up plans for renewed strikes on Iran after the US midterm elections.

The report, citing US officials and others briefed on the discussions, said it remained uncertain whether Trump would approve the plans, noting that he had repeatedly rejected proposals to resume major combat operations this year.

A White House official told the newspaper that the administration did not comment on military plans “that may or may not exist”.

The United States and Israel launched their war against Iran on February 28, prompting Tehran to retaliate with missile and drone attacks across the region and effectively close the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supplies.

A memorandum of understanding reached between Washington and Tehran in June following mediation by Pakistan and Qatar has since stalled amid disagreements, including over navigation through the strategic waterway.