Trump expects further talks with Iran this week, signals openness to deal

President Donald Trump said Sunday (local time) he expects additional talks with Iran this week, signaling continued openness to a negotiated settlement.

Speaking in an interview with Axios, Trump said, "They want to make a deal," while indicating further discussions were likely in the days ahead.

Trump criticized Iran for overreaching in its demands, saying the deal Tehran wants is not the deal he wants and is one that could only have been struck a year ago. Asked whether he was considering resuming military strikes against Iran, he said, "Always thinking about it."

On Sunday, Trump said he had rejected Iran's proposal for a "7-day plan" to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, saying, "I like deals, but I can't accept that offer." Even as he turned down the proposal, Trump appeared to be keeping the door to negotiations open in an effort to prevent the standoff with Iran from deteriorating further.

Earlier, US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner — Trump's son-in-law — met with an Iranian delegation in New York on Tuesday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. The talks were conducted in an indirect format with Qatar serving as an intermediary, during which Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi presented the 7-day plan focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and resuming nuclear negotiations, Axios reported.

Multiple sources in the Middle East said indirect talks between the US and Iran could take place as soon as Monday. However, Axios reported it remains unclear whether the two sides can narrow their differences, as Iran is prioritizing the Strait of Hormuz and the US maritime blockade while the Trump administration is pressing Tehran for concessions on its nuclear program.

Trump told Axios on Sunday that more than 20 million barrels of oil had passed through the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend — the largest volume since the Iran war began. Axios, citing a US Defense Department official, reported that 22 million barrels of oil transited the strait on Friday.

Rising oil prices stemming from the prolonged Iran war represent Trump's biggest political headache ahead of midterm elections in early November. Trump is expected to keep the option of airstrikes on the table through the midterms while seeking a deal with Iran where possible, aiming to avoid a further escalation of military tensions.