Trump Considers Iran Strikes as Peace Talks Reach Deadlock

President Donald Trump is considering large-scale military strikes against Iranian infrastructure and nuclear sites following the collapse of indirect peace talks on Monday. The potential for renewed aggression coincides with the November 3 U.S. midterm elections, prompting Gulf allies to prepare for retaliation. Saudi Arabia has moved schools in Riyadh to online learning, while the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have conducted security drills. The U.S. military has responded by increasing regional munitions and deploying an additional Patriot antimissile system to Israel.

The current tensions stem from an eight-month war initiated by the United States and Israel on February 28, characterized by a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports and Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Diplomatic efforts mediated by Qatar remain deadlocked over whether the U.S. or Iran should first concede on naval blockades and nuclear inspections. Trump previously rejected a seven-step Iranian proposal in September that required the lifting of oil sanctions before resuming nuclear talks.

Russia and China have urged a political solution, with the Russian Foreign Ministry warning that military actions are powerless to break Iranian sovereignty. While Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed a willingness to continue dialogue, Iranian officials have warned that any U.S. attack would meet an unrestrained response. The situation is further complicated by Houthi militant attacks on Saudi Arabian targets in Riyadh and Ras Tanura.