Trump says US not in 'a hurry' to agree deal with Iran

The president has said the U.S. will not resume strikes before the midterms.

Last Updated: November 1, 2026, 11:00 AM EST

Talks between the U.S. and Iran remain stalled despite the two countries signing a memorandum of understanding in June, aimed at ending the war that began with joint American-Israeli strikes on the country in February. The opening strikes killed a host of top Iranian officials and commanders, among them Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The two sides have continued to exchange strikes, though have not returned to the intense fighting seen in the early stages of the conflict. The U.S. says it is enforcing a naval blockade of the country's Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman ports, while Iran claims control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz and continues to claim attacks on shipping transiting the waterway.

Meanwhile, intensified fighting between Saudi-backed Yemeni forces and Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen has seen the latter repeatedly attack Saudi military, oil infrastructure and transport facilities.

See the most recent developments below.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Oct 28, 2026, 6:04 AM EDT

Trump says war will end when 'I want to end it'

President Donald Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews on Tuesday night that "anything's possible" when asked if the U.S. would resume strikes on Iran, suggesting that the conflict will end when he decides.

"I think with Iran, we're in a very good position. It's a question: When do I want to end it? Simply a question of when do I want to end it," the president said.

Trump again claimed that Iran wants to make a deal, but suggested that Tehran may be waiting for a more favorable environment before they try to do so.

"They want to make a deal, but they've wanted to make a deal, but they like tapping it along. Maybe they're waiting for the election or something, but that's not going to help them," he said.

President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews after his visit to Texas, in Maryland, on Oct. 28, 2026.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

-ABC News' Alex Ederson

Oct 26, 2026, 4:39 PM EDT

Iran's supreme leader details recent meetings

The official Telegram page for Mojtaba Khamenei has released details of two meetings Iran's supreme leader has reportedly held in recent days.

According to the readout, he met with the head of Iran's judiciary, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, on Saturday, during which the two reportedly discussed pursuing compensation from the U.S. and Israel over damages from the war in Iran. That follows a meeting last week with Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's parliament speaker, during which the two reportedly discussed the latest developments in the war, according to the readout.

Khamenei has not been seen in public since he succeeded his late father in March.

Oct 26, 2026, 6:41 AM EDT

Iran to host security talks with Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan

Tehran will host a security summit attended by senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei told reporters on Monday.

Baqaei described the meeting as "a prelude to establishing indigenous security within the region."

Rayed Krimly, Saudi Arabia's deputy minister for public diplomacy, said in a post to X that Riyadh's delegation will include Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman.

Krimly added that Pakistani army chief Field Marshall Asim Munir and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin will also attend the meeting, which will be chaired by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Mohsen Rezaei, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.

-ABC News' Victoria Beaule and Somayeh Malekian

Oct 26, 2026, 3:03 AM EDT

Houthis claim new attack on Riyadh airport, Saudis say missile intercepted

Yahya Saree, the spokesperson for the armed forces of the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, said on Monday morning that the group launched a new ballistic missile attack on the King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

The attack came hours after flights resumed at the airport, having been suspended following recent and deadly Houthi strikes there.

Saudi military spokesperson Col. Turki Al-Maliki said in a post to X on Monday morning that Saudi forces intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile bound for Riyadh. Maliki also said that Saudi forces launched a series of airstrikes in Houthi-controlled Yemeni territory targeting missile storage and launch sites.

Saudi Arabia's General Directorate of Civil Defense, meanwhile, posted an advisory to X warning of potential danger to Riyadh. An hour later, the directorate said the danger had passed.

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