Trump says he doesn't want Iran deal as U.S. reportedly prepares for 'massive bombing'

What did President Trump say about pursuing a deal with Iran, and how does that differ from the diplomatic talks already under way?

Trump said he no longer wants a deal with Iran, even though he said Iranian officials were willing to offer anything to stop. That position contrasts with diplomatic work already under way. Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, has been working on a deal, and Trump said he was doing very well.

The talks concern ending the conflict. Trump also said Washington’s biggest problem was not knowing who was running Iran during negotiations. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei rejected that claim. He said the real problem was contradictory positions and mixed messaging from U.S. officials.

The contrast matters because negotiations and military planning are proceeding at the same time. NBC News reported discussions about resuming large-scale U.S. operations in coming weeks. Trump’s latest statement suggests he currently sees a deal as unwanted, despite continued diplomatic activity and Iran’s reported willingness to make concessions.

What would a possible U.S. military operation against Iran involve, and what kinds of targets have been reported?

A possible U.S. operation would be a renewed large-scale military campaign against Iran. The reports do not describe a confirmed attack. They describe planning and discussion within Trump’s national security team about resuming major operations, possibly in the coming weeks.

Axios reported that the campaign could include massive bombing. The reported targets were Iranian energy facilities, infrastructure, and nuclear sites. These categories cover systems that support the country’s economy, public services, and nuclear program. The article does not provide a detailed timetable or list specific facilities.

The possibility matters because attacks on these targets could widen the conflict and affect energy markets. It could also influence U.S. politics, since Axios reported that military aggression might affect the coming midterm elections. For now, the article presents the operation as a possibility, not an announced military decision.

How large are the oil flows leaving the Gulf—about 18.5 million barrels per day—and why is that a globally important amount?

Around 18.5 million barrels of crude oil per day were leaving the Gulf, excluding Iran, when Saudi Arabian and United Arab Emirates volumes were combined. Kpler said that total was near pre-conflict levels. The figure shows that exports had recovered substantially even while the conflict continued.

This is a very large daily flow. Oil is traded across borders and supplies transport, industry, and energy markets. Therefore, a disruption in a major exporting region can reduce available supply or raise fears about shortages. Those pressures can lift prices far beyond the region. This global-market explanation is established energy knowledge, not a figure stated directly in the article.

The current numbers suggest that exports have not stopped. However, elevated crude prices show that markets remain concerned. Kpler forecasts slower, uneven normalisation rather than a quick return to stability, with shipments recovering through operational adaptation instead of waiting for a diplomatic agreement.

How could renewed fighting or attacks on energy infrastructure affect gasoline prices, transportation costs, and living costs?

Renewed fighting could make fuel more expensive by threatening energy facilities, transport routes, or confidence in future supply. Higher crude prices often feed into gasoline and diesel prices. The article says those prices have already contributed to high living costs and a record-low approval rating for Trump.

The mechanism works through the wider economy. More expensive fuel raises costs for trucking, shipping, farming, and other fuel-dependent activity. Businesses may pass those costs to consumers through higher prices. Families can then face larger bills for driving, deliveries, and everyday goods. These broader effects follow established economic principles; the article specifically documents the fuel-price and living-cost concerns.

The current picture is mixed. Gulf exports were near pre-conflict levels, but crude prices remained elevated. If attacks disrupt energy infrastructure, prices and transportation costs could rise further. If shipments keep recovering through operational adaptation, some pressure could ease, though Kpler expects normalisation to be slower and uneven.

Why might military action or a diplomatic agreement influence U.S. midterm elections?

Military action or a diplomatic agreement could influence the midterm elections because both would change the public’s view of the conflict and the administration’s handling of it. The article reports that military aggression could affect the outcome. It also says Trump’s approval ratings reached a record low amid concerns about expensive gasoline and diesel.

A renewed campaign might be judged through its consequences. If attacks worsen fuel prices, voters could focus on higher household and transportation costs. If military action is seen as successful, it could produce a different political response. A diplomatic agreement could likewise be presented as progress, but the article does not predict how voters would react.

The timing makes the issue especially important. Reports suggested large-scale operations could resume before the midterm elections. That places foreign policy, energy prices, and household finances close together on the political calendar. The article identifies possible influence, not a certain electoral result.

How can oil shipments recover toward normal levels even while a conflict continues and no new deal has been reached?

Oil shipments do not necessarily need a new diplomatic agreement to move toward normal levels. Kpler said traffic could recover through operational adaptation while conflict continued. That means market participants adjust how they move available cargoes, rather than waiting for a formal political settlement.

The article gives a concrete result. Combined crude volumes leaving the Gulf, excluding Iran, with volumes from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, reached about 18.5 million barrels per day. Kpler said this was around pre-conflict levels. The recovery happened even though crude prices remained elevated and no new deal had been reached.

This does not mean conditions are fully normal. Matt Wright forecast slower, uneven normalisation. Shipments may continue recovering, but prices and traffic can remain unsettled. A diplomatic agreement could still change expectations, yet Kpler’s view is that exports can improve through practical adjustments before negotiations produce a formal breakthrough.

What is crude oil, and why do disruptions in one major producing region affect economies and consumers around the world?

The article does not define crude oil. In standard energy usage, crude oil is unrefined petroleum taken from underground reservoirs. Refineries process it into products such as gasoline and diesel, which help power transport and many economic activities. This basic definition comes from established world knowledge.

The article shows why location matters. Around 18.5 million barrels of crude per day were leaving the Gulf, with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates helping bring flows near pre-conflict levels. If fighting threatens production, infrastructure, or transport, less oil may reach buyers or markets may fear that outcome. Those concerns can raise prices.

Higher oil prices can spread through economies because fuel is needed to move people, goods, and services. The article connects soaring gasoline and diesel prices with high living costs and falling approval ratings. Even with recovering exports, crude prices remained elevated, showing how conflict risk can affect consumers beyond the producing region.

Key Facts:

📌 Trump said he no longer wants a deal with Iran.

📌 Steve Witkoff is working on a proposed agreement.

📌 Iran rejected U.S. claims about confusion over its leadership.

📌 Possible attacks could include massive bombing.

📌 Reported targets include Iranian energy, infrastructure, and nuclear sites.

📌 NBC News reported discussions about operations in coming weeks.

📌 Gulf oil flows were around 18.5 million barrels per day.