Trump says he is in no rush to decide on resuming Iran bombing as Qatari-brokered talks continue

Summary

President Trump told Axios in a Monday phone interview that he is "in no rush" to decide whether to resume fighting in Iran, saying "One way or the other, we will do something, but there is no rush." He said Iran is financially crippled with no money or gasoline, and that talks are "going fine," though Iran has less urgency than he expects. Qatari mediators have drafted a three-day sequence of confidence-building measures to restart direct U.S.-Iran negotiations and are waiting for feedback from both sides, while Qatari mediator Ali al-Thawadi traveled to Tehran on Monday, and a diplomat said progress is building. Axios reports that Trump is weighing three courses of action backed by different camps, with Vice President JD Vance and envoy Steve Witkoff urging a deal. Hours after the interview, Trump posted on Truth Social that oil prices were dropping sharply because people feel there will not be a war with Iran. In a later Fox News interview, Trump said the U.S. might have to "go after" Pickaxe Mountain, a suspected underground nuclear complex, if no deal is reached, while saying he would rather make a deal.

Timeline

1. Axios

   2 Nov 2026, 21:01 UTCSource ↗

   Axios reports that Trump told it by phone on Monday he is "in no rush" to decide whether to resume fighting in Iran, while Qatari mediators have drafted a three-day sequence of confidence-building measures to restart direct U.S.-Iran talks.

2. Middle East Eye

   2 Nov 2026, 21:31 UTCSource ↗

   Middle East Eye reports that, in a phone interview with Axios, Trump said he is "in no rush" to decide whether to resume the war on Iran.

3. Middle East Eye

   3 Nov 2026, 07:16 UTCSource ↗

   Middle East Eye reports that Trump told Fox News the U.S. might have to "go after" Iran's suspected underground nuclear complex known as Pickaxe Mountain if no deal is reached, while not ruling out resuming the war.