Days after an election shaped in part by the conflict overseas, the president says a major decision is coming. His comments signaled that the next phase of the conflict could come quickly.
President Donald Trump said Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, that he will soon decide whether to resume major combat operations in the Iran war, adding that he would prefer a negotiated deal to further destruction.
What did Trump say about the Iran war?
Speaking with reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said Iran cannot do anything with its nuclear program without approval from Washington. His remarks reflected the administration’s position that Iran must not be allowed to build a nuclear weapon.
Asked about reports that Iranian negotiators are reviewing a new proposal from regional mediators, Trump said it made no difference what they were looking at. Iran will not have a nuclear weapon, he said, and its leaders know it.
He said U.S. forces have been in Iran for seven months and control everything they set out to control. Now, he said, he must decide whether to go further.
Trump said it would take Iran 25 years to rebuild and that he would rather not destroy the rest of the country, but that he might have to. He said the public would know soon enough.
Where do talks to end the Iran war stand?
Mediators from the region have been working on proposals to end the fighting and limit Iran’s nuclear program. Iran’s negotiators are reviewing the latest plan, according to reports. Pakistan and other countries have helped carry messages between the two sides.
Trump has rejected earlier Iranian offers, including a proposal for a temporary truce, and told aides in September that he expected to resume strikes after the midterm elections, according to reports.
Trump met with his national security team on Thursday. U.S. Central Command is finalizing preparations to possibly resume major combat, though it has not received new orders, according to reports.
Why does the Iran war matter at home?
The conflict has driven up fuel prices, and Trump acknowledged this week that the Iran war played a role in Republicans’ midterm losses. Democrats will control both chambers of Congress in January. The cost of living was a central issue for voters on Election Day.
Lawmakers from both parties have questioned whether the administration has authority to wage the war without approval from Congress. Republican Rep. Thomas Massie has threatened to force an impeachment vote against Secretary of War Pete Hegseth over the operations.
Reports have also noted concerns about dwindling U.S. munitions stockpiles, one reason Trump has been reluctant to resume a wider campaign.
What are the risks of resuming the Iran war?
Renewed fighting could push energy prices higher, endanger U.S. troops and allies in the region and further damage Iran’s economy and civilian infrastructure. The Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments, has been a focus of the conflict.
Some Gulf partners have voiced opposition to more U.S. operations, according to reports.
Supporters of the president argue military pressure is the surest way to stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, while critics warn that a longer Iran war could pull the U.S. deeper into a costly conflict.
What happens next?
Trump did not give a timeline for his decision but said it would come soon. Officials in Washington and across the Middle East are watching closely.
Whether he chooses diplomacy or renewed force, his choice will shape the Iran war and the final two years of his presidency. The stakes for the region and for American voters remain high.
