US continues talks with Iran despite strike threat

Washington, Oct 30 (EFE).- The United States President Donald Trump stated on Friday that talks with Iran to end the conflict are ongoing despite multiple reports suggesting Washington might resume large-scale strikes against the Islamic Republic after Tuesday’s midterm elections.

«There are talks. They want to talk, and they keep talking. But look, they’re not paying their soldiers, they’re not paying their police. They’re in a lot of trouble, and we have time, frankly,» Trump told reporters at a White House event.

The president maintained that the US is in no rush to settle the conflict because it is «spending very little money.» He added that an agreement signed with Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez, granting access to a fifth of Venezuela’s oil reserves, more than offsets any expenses.

«It’s a war, but it’s not a typical war. We’ve been there for seven months, we’re spending very little money, relatively speaking. I heard somebody say, ‘You’re spending money.’ And I said, ‘Well, whatever we’ve spent, we’ve more than made up for in a place called Venezuela,'» the president declared.

Reports of ongoing dialogue arrive amid growing speculation that Israel and the US could launch fresh attacks on Iran following next Tuesday’s elections.

Outlets including Axios and The New York Times reported that both nations are coordinating a potential offensive targeting Iranian leadership, energy facilities, and nuclear infrastructure, pending final approval from Trump.

Meanwhile, Democratic Senator Chris Murphy, who received classified briefings on the conflict, posted on social media this week calling the proposed attack plan «insane.»

«It will not achieve objectives and will set off a new cycle of escalation,» Murphy warned. EFE

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