Trump Expects Iran Talks This Week, Says He Is "Always Thinking" About Resuming Strikes

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U.S. President Donald Trump said in a phone interview with Axios on Sunday (Sept. 27) that he expects U.S. negotiators to hold further talks with Iran this week, one day after he rejected Tehran's "seven-day plan" to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. "They want to reach an agreement, but it's not the deal I want to make," Trump said, adding that Iran is demanding too much and wants a deal that could only have been agreed a year ago. Asked whether he was considering resuming strikes against Iran, he said: "I'm always thinking about it."

Regional sources told Axios that indirect U.S.-Iran talks could resume as early as Monday (Sept. 28), and Politico also reported talks could be held on the 28th, though few expect a substantive breakthrough. Iran wants to focus on the strait and the U.S. naval blockade of its ports; the Trump administration is demanding nuclear concessions.

Trump told Axios that the largest volume of oil since the U.S.-Iran war began passed through the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend, with 22 million barrels transiting on Sept. 25, citing a U.S. Defense Department official. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump expects the bombing campaign in Iran to resume after the November midterm elections. Sunday evening, Brent crude rose about 2% to $106.29 a barrel while Dow futures fell roughly 160 points.