‘We’ll have to just finish the job’: Trump says Iran ‘negotiating on fumes’
“They thought they were gonna outwait me,’” Trump said. “I don’t care about the midterms.”
Mason Reed 
President Donald Trump declared on Wednesday that Iran is currently “negotiating on fumes,” doubling down on his administration's efforts to end the three-month-old conflict. Despite the looming pressure of November’s midterm elections, Trump insisted that he remains unswayed by political deadlines.
Diplomatic High Stakes
Speaking at a Cabinet meeting, the president expressed optimism that a settlement is within reach, even noting over the weekend that the U.S. and Tehran have “largely negotiated” a deal. However, the situation remains fluid, and the administration faces a delicate path to reopen the Strait of Hormuz while ensuring Iran’s nuclear capability is curtailed.
“They thought they were gonna outwait me,” Trump said. “I don’t care about the midterms.” He maintained that while the U.S. is not yet satisfied with current progress, the alternative remains an open question: “Either that or we’ll have to just finish the job.”
Mounting Criticism and Regional Tensions
The path to peace is complicated by ongoing friction. On Monday, the Pentagon launched “defensive” strikes against missile sites and boats, which Iran labeled as an act of bad faith. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers, including Sens. Roger Wicker, Lindsey Graham, and Ted Cruz, have voiced scrutiny regarding the deal's terms, fearing they are overly favorable to Tehran.
Negotiators are working toward a framework where Iran would surrender its highly enriched uranium stockpile—currently standing at 440.9 kilograms—in exchange for sanctions relief. However, as the midterm elections approach amid rising costs and fuel prices, the administration must navigate a turbulent political landscape.
The Path Ahead
Discussions regarding a ceasefire also remain entangled with Israel’s operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Furthermore, Trump continues to press for additional nations to join the Abraham Accords, though Saudi Arabia has held firm that a guaranteed path to a Palestinian state is a non-negotiable prerequisite.
