Iran doubts US deal before midterms, Bloomberg reports

Iranian officials have expressed pessimism about reaching an agreement with the US before the November midterm elections, according to Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with the matter. They believe conflict escalation is likely after the November 3 vote. Talks in New York during the UN General Assembly made little progress. Iran distrusts the Trump administration's commitment to any deal, while the White House shows similar distrust toward Tehran, demanding concrete progress on Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi remained in the US for further mediated discussions. A June memorandum of understanding on a ceasefire and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz collapsed within two weeks, with Pakistan and Qatar serving as key mediators.