Iran-US war latest: Trump says he doesn’t ‘really want’ peace deal as US prepares to resume strikes

Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Join today Already a member? Log in On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trump has said his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff was making progress in negotiations with Iran , but suggested that reaching a deal was not his preferred outcome. He said: “I think the deal isn’t really something that I want to do, but they’re willing to offer us anything to stop,” Trump told supporters at a campaign rally in San Antonio . NBC News reported that Trump and his national security team have discussed the possibility of restarting large-scale US military operations in Iran in the coming weeks, including potential strikes ahead of next month’s midterm elections. Meanwhile, three people were killed and more than 30 were injured in strikes on airports across Saudi Arabia , the country’s civil aviation authorities said on Wednesday, amid a flare up in clashes with the Yemeni Houthi rebels. One person was killed and eight were injured in an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh , while two were killed and 28 were injured in an attack at Abha airport, a statement read. Recommended Trump makes late Nobel Prize pitch: ‘Not bragging ... but I settled eight wars’ Jimmy Kimmel slams Trump’s ‘truly appalling’ suggestion that Iran could bomb California Houthi attacks: What we know about strikes on Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Aden airport Netanyahu posts bizarre October 7 anniversary AI Lego video denying Israel is carrying out genocide in Gaza Key Points Trump says Iran deal is not his preferred outcome as special envoy negotiates US military prepares new Iran war options ahead of midterm elections - report US and Iran hold indirect nuclear talks in New York Lebanon's Hezbollah 'gets $200 million from Iran' to help displaced Three killed in attacks on two Saudi airports and over 30 injured Trump repeats claim that Iran could destroy LA or San Diego Donald Trump once again claimed that the war against Iran was necessary to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons and potentially attacking US cities such as Los Angeles or San Diego. However, US intelligence assessed in 2025 that Iran was not building a nuclear weapon and that its weapons programme had been suspended in 2003. Iran also does not have missiles capable of reaching the US mainland. Despite this, Trump said: “We’re not going to let that happen” and repeated that Iran “would use it” if it obtained a nuclear weapon. Maroosha Muzaffar 8 October 2026 09:00 India condemns strikes on Riyadh airports India says it condemns the attacks this week by Houthi rebels on two airports in Riyadh. Saudi officials say two people were killed and 28 wounded in one attack at Abha International Airport, and one person was killed and eight wounded in a separate strike on King Khalid International Airport. “The targeting of civilian infrastructure is completely unacceptable,” India’s foreign ministry said in a statement. “We express our deepest condolences to the families of those who have lost their loved ones. We wish speedy recovery for those injured. We express solidarity and stand with the people and government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.” Adam Withnall 8 October 2026 08:52 Attacks on tankers in Hormuz hit highest of any week since start of Iran war – report Attacks on oil and gas tankers in the Strait of Hormuz reached their highest weekly level since the Iran war began, according to maritime security sources cited by Reuters. At least 12 tankers were attacked between 28 September and 5 October, while the International Maritime Organization recorded nine incidents. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have also continued drone surveillance, radio harassment and attempted attacks on vessels. The escalation comes as Gulf producers increase oil exports, while India said 12 crew members were injured after a projectile struck a Panama-flagged oil tanker travelling through the strait. Maroosha Muzaffar 8 October 2026 08:00 Oil prices climb past $101 a barrel Oil prices rose above $101 a barrel on Thursday as markets remained concerned about potential supply disruptions in the Middle East. Brent crude climbed $1.33, or 1.33 per cent, to $101.53 a barrel by 01:16 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose $1.11, or 1.26 per cent, to $89.39. The gains came amid heightened tensions over attacks on shipping in the Gulf and around the Strait of Hormuz. Maroosha Muzaffar 8 October 2026 07:00 US military prepares new Iran war options ahead of midterm elections - report Donald Trump and his national security team have reportedly discussed the possibility of restarting large-scale US military operations in Iran in the coming weeks, including potential strikes ahead of next month’s midterm elections, according to a US official and another person familiar with the discussions. A defence department official told NBC News: “The department’s job is to develop and present military options to the president.” A White House official said the US “is in a very strong position”. “Iran has been decimated, and things will go one of two ways: the easy way or the hard way,” the official said. “President Trump holds all the cards and will do whatever is best for the United States.” Maroosha Muzaffar 8 October 2026 06:01 Trump says Iran deal is not his preferred outcome as special envoy negotiates Donald Trump says Steve Witkoff, his special envoy to the Middle East, is “doing very well” while he works on a potential agreement with Iran. But he added that “I think the deal isn’t really something that I want to do, but they’re willing to offer us anything to stop,” Trump told supporters at a campaign rally in San Antonio. “That war ends – it’s going to be very soon. It’s got to be very soon,” Trump said. He also called Iran “a failed nation” with “a little spunk left, but not much.” Iran would “never have a nuclear weapon”, he said and praised Witkoff as “a great negotiator”. Maroosha Muzaffar 8 October 2026 05:00 US and Iran hold indirect nuclear talks in New York - report The US and Iran have held indirect nuclear talks in New York this month, according to NBC News, as Washington pushes for a broader agreement to address Iran’s nuclear programme. According to the report, the Trump administration wants any agreement with Tehran to address what it describes as outstanding critical issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme. The Trump administration has rejected Tehran’s proposal for a seven-day deal focused first on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, in which the US would lift sanctions and unfreeze Iranian funds while nuclear talks were postponed. Instead, Washington wants the nuclear issue included in any agreement rather than handled separately at a later stage. Maroosha Muzaffar 8 October 2026 03:56 The bereaved families hoping for peace three years after October 7: ‘We don’t fight with weapons. We believe in love’ “After three years, my worst fear is that my kids’ memory will fade away,” Sigal Manzuri says, on the eve of the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks that claimed her two daughters’ lives. “I just ask from others to really please remember that behind every picture they see, every story they hear, there is a soul, there are so many dreams cut short. And just remember them.” Sigal, a US-Israeli mother and activist from Hod HaSharon in central Israel, today dedicates her time to preserving the memory of her daughters, Norelle, 25, and Roya, 22, who were both killed at the Supernova music festival in 2023. Some 1,200 people were killed that day as the Palestinian terror group led an armed incursion across the border, rampaging through towns and taking 251 hostages back into Gaza. Read the full story: Bereaved Israeli families still hoping for peace three years after October 7 massacre Sigal Manzuri lost her two daughters in the Hamas massacre. With Israel’s elections fast approaching she hopes Israel can find a more positive future, writes James C. Reynolds James Reynolds 8 October 2026 03:00 US vice president JD Vance told Reuters that Iran must make a “meaningful” reduction in its nuclear enrichment capacity to satisfy US demands and end the countries’ seven-month war. Vance, a longtime skeptic of US involvement in foreign wars, has taken a leading role in negotiating a settlement to the conflict and brokered a provisional peace agreement in June that quickly fell apart. The war has jolted global energy markets and become a political liability for US president Donald Trump ahead of November midterm elections. Vance told Reuters on Monday after a campaign trip in Alaska that any agreement would require Iran to reduce its nuclear enrichment capacity, rather than offer assurances of future nuclear drawdowns. "If you don't want a nuclear weapon, then why do you need 60% enriched fuel? And if you want to show commitment to not building a nuclear weapon, don't build highly enriched fuel. That's a very basic threshold issue," Vance said. "I think if they want to show a commitment to not building a nuclear weapon, they would do something meaningful on their enrichment capacity." James Reynolds 8 October 2026 02:00 Lebanon's Hezbollah 'gets $200 million from Iran' to help displaced Hezbollah has received $200 million from Iran to help Lebanese displaced by this year’s war with Israel, two people with direct knowledge of the transfer said, the first significant aid from the group to supporters who bore the brunt of the conflict. Hezbollah received the cash last month despite a tightening US economic chokehold on Iran and increasing difficulties in getting funds to Tehran's Lebanese ally, said the people. Intermediaries who moved the money charged a 20% fee, reflecting the risks of dealing with the group, they said. One said this was four times the normal fee. Asked for comment, a Hezbollah official said an amount had been secured and a plan for distributing it would be announced in the coming days, without elaborating on the source of the funds. Supporters of Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah hold up a flag bearing the image of slain leader Hassan Nasrallah during a ceremony held to mark the second anniversary of Nasrallah's killing in a strike by Israel, in Beirut's southern suburbs on September 27 ( AFP/Getty ) James Reynolds 8 October 2026 01:00 Newer 1 / 2 Older