Iran grows doubtful of deal with US before midterm elections

Iranian officials have begun expressing pessimism about the prospect of striking a deal with the United States before the November 3 midterm elections, Bloomberg reported, citing sources familiar with the talks. Iran and the US made only minor progress during discussions in New York last week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Tehran reportedly believes there is a high likelihood of escalation once the vote has passed.

Iranian officials have repeatedly said they are open to diplomatic talks but doubt the Trump administration would honor any agreement's terms. The White House reportedly harbors similar distrust of Tehran, and President Donald Trump has previously said he doubts a deal can be reached before the midterms. On Monday, asked by reporters about the Iran talks, Trump said US representatives were in dialogue with intermediaries but declined to share details, saying only that matters would be resolved fairly quickly.

Nuclear program remains sticking point

According to one US official, no deal with Iran will be finalized until questions surrounding its nuclear program are resolved. The official said Trump is prepared to ease sanctions and unfreeze Iranian funds in exchange for concrete nuclear-related progress.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who met last week with Trump envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, has stayed in the US for further talks mediated by other parties. Chief mediators are reportedly seeking something different from the memorandum of understanding signed by Iran and the US in mid-June, which led to a ceasefire and increased shipping through the Strait of Hormuz but lapsed after roughly two weeks without producing a lasting peace agreement. Qatar and Pakistan have been the most active mediators in the on-and-off negotiations.

Sources said the US government has told mediators it wants Iran to make firm commitments this time regarding opening the strait and to make concessions on its nuclear program. Iran's state news agency IRNA has said no new round of talks in New York is currently planned.