Trump may launch major military operation against Iran

US President Donald Trump could become more inclined to authorise a large-scale military operation against Iran if Republicans suffer significant losses in next week’s midterm elections, according to a report.

A US official told Axios that Trump could respond with a bold move if he feels politically embarrassed or weakened by the election results. The official said Iranian authorities were being warned that their best opportunity to secure an agreement with Washington was now.

However, a White House official rejected the suggestion that the midterm elections would influence Trump’s decisions on Iran, saying the election outcome would not be a factor in his approach.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to revive negotiations between Washington and Tehran have intensified. Qatari mediators reportedly spent more than 12 hours in Tehran on Friday, maintaining regular contact with the White House in an effort to bring both sides back to direct talks.

A diplomatic source described the discussions as showing positive progress, with negotiations expected to continue in Doha on Saturday.

However, significant differences remain between the two sides. Washington wants Iran to make concessions over its nuclear programme before negotiations can resume. Tehran, meanwhile, is demanding that the United States lift its naval blockade, release frozen Iranian funds and allow the country to resume oil sales.

Qatar is reportedly proposing a compromise under which Iran would allow United Nations inspectors to visit nuclear facilities damaged in previous attacks in exchange for limited sanctions relief.

The report also highlighted divisions within Trump’s administration over the diplomatic approach. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are reportedly sceptical about reaching an agreement and favour further weakening Iran’s leadership. Vice President JD Vance, along with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, support restarting negotiations.

Amid the diplomatic uncertainty, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a strong response to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the economic consequences of the conflict.

Araghchi dismissed the relevance of red lines, warning that any attack on the Iranian people would invite a devastating response from the country’s armed forces.

He also criticised Merz for supporting US and Israeli strikes against Iran, accusing European leaders of allowing Washington to do Europe’s dirty work.

Merz had reportedly said that the conflict had increased Europe’s costs by around 100 billion euros, largely because of higher energy prices. He stressed that Europe had an economic interest in ending the fighting as quickly as possible.

Tensions have also intensified in the Strait of Hormuz after a crude oil tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile while travelling out of the strategic waterway.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it received information about the incident from a verified source. It did not identify the vessel or disclose the extent of the damage or the condition of its crew.

Authorities are investigating the incident, while ships operating in the area have been advised to remain cautious and report suspicious activity.

Separately, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy claimed that a fourth oil tanker had struck a mine and caught fire while attempting to use what it described as an unauthorised route through the strait.

According to the IRGC, the supertanker was carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil and had ignored repeated warnings against using the southern passage. The navy said a mine explosion set the vessel on fire.

The claim could not be independently verified.

Meanwhile, Oman carried out a medical evacuation of an injured crew member from an Indian vessel that came under attack in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Royal Air Force of Oman conducted the operation in coordination with relevant authorities. The injured sailor was transferred from Khasab Hospital in Musandam to Khawla Hospital in Muscat for specialised treatment.

Earlier, the Royal Navy of Oman had evacuated 25 crew members from a commercial vessel that caught fire after an attack about 1.6 nautical miles off the Musandam coast.