Iran War Today: Trump Says It Will End Soon as Iran Warns of an Earth-Shattering Blow
The US–Iran war is sending mixed signals just three days before the US midterm elections. President Donald Trump says the eight-month conflict will be "wrapped up soon", while the Pentagon prepares strike options for after the November 3 vote. Iran's foreign minister has warned of an "earth-shattering blow" if Iran is attacked again, oil tankers are burning in the Strait of Hormuz, and mediators from Qatar and Pakistan are racing to keep talks alive. Here is the latest Iran war news today, explained.
Iran War Today: Key Points
- Trump: says the war will be "wrapped up soon" and stresses the need for guarantees against an Iranian nuclear weapon
- Pentagon: is presenting Trump with strike options against Iran for after the November 3 midterms, according to Fox News
- Iran: Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warns of an "earth-shattering blow" if Iran is attacked again
- Talks: Qatari mediators were in Tehran with a revised draft deal. Iran rejected an earlier version as "unacceptable"
- Strait of Hormuz: Iran's Revolutionary Guards say four oil tankers caught fire and exploded on "unauthorised routes"
- Oil: Brent crude rose to $117.62 a barrel, heading for a fourth straight monthly gain
Trump: The War Will Be "Wrapped Up Soon"
Speaking days before the midterms, Trump said the war on Iran will "get wrapped up soon" and stressed that any deal must include guarantees that Iran cannot build a nuclear weapon. Earlier this week he said the war would end "whenever I want it to end".
At the same time, Fox News reports that the Pentagon is presenting Trump with strike options against Iran for after the November 3 vote, and Trump has hinted he may resume bombing once the election is over. The AP has reported that US officials warned allies in the region to prepare for possible strikes that could be brief but intense. The US has not struck Iran since early September.
Iran Warns of an "Earth-Shattering Blow"
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned of an "earth-shattering blow" if Iran is attacked again. Earlier this week he also warned of a "devastating impact" on international markets from any new military action in the Gulf.
Inside Iran, the mood is hardening. Lawmakers Mahmoud Nabavian and Alireza Salimi have called for Iran to leave the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and Salimi said a withdrawal bill has been drafted and is before parliament, according to Iran International.
Peace Talks: Qatar and Pakistan Keep Diplomacy Alive
- Qatar: Qatari mediators presented Iran with a draft deal last Sunday. A senior Iranian official called it "unacceptable" and said Tehran will show no flexibility on the nuclear issue. Mediators have since returned to Tehran with revisions, and CBS reported signs of progress.
- Iran's conditions: lifting the US naval blockade, easing sanctions and access to frozen assets.
- The Vance letter: Vice President JD Vance sent a letter through Qatar to Iranian official Mohsen Rezaei proposing early talks, possibly in Qatar or Turkey.
- Pakistan: Pakistan's military is cautiously optimistic about US-Iran mediation, according to Iran International. Army chief Asim Munir has visited Tehran twice this month. The military also warned of unnamed "spoilers" trying to derail the process.
Pakistan has played a central role throughout the war. It brokered the April ceasefire and hosted the talks that produced the June Islamabad Memorandum. Read the full background in our US–Iran war timeline.
Strait of Hormuz: Tankers on Fire
- Iran's Revolutionary Guards said four oil tankers caught fire and exploded while travelling along what they called "unauthorised routes".
- A Panama-flagged tanker, the Louise 1, caught fire after a small boat attached two limpet mines to its hull, according to Fox News. No injuries were reported and nobody has claimed responsibility. It was the first successful limpet mine attack in the strait since the war began in February.
- The IRGC navy also said a supertanker carrying more than 2 million barrels of oil was burning at the entrance to the strait. Iran claimed it destroyed an American sea drone, which US Central Command denied. Neither claim could be independently verified.
Oil Prices Climb Again
Brent crude rose to $117.62 a barrel and US crude (WTI) to $113.58, according to Fox News. Both are on track for a fourth straight monthly rise, with Brent up about 14% in October. One analyst said the market is "getting increasingly spooked" ahead of the midterms. ExxonMobil and Chevron reported sharply higher quarterly profits, which they linked to war-driven oil prices. For import-dependent countries like Pakistan, higher oil prices feed directly into fuel and electricity bills.
Pentagon Leak Case
Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, the former senior Pentagon strategist fired by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, reportedly admitted to leaking classified information on US Iran and Ukraine policy to two reporters. The case has been referred to the Justice Department for possible prosecution.
What Happens Next?
- November 3: Americans vote in the midterm elections. Trump has said he will decide on Iran after the vote.
- Iran's answer: a US official told CBS that Iran's response to the latest outreach was expected around this weekend.
- Two paths: a deal built on the Qatari draft and earlier Islamabad framework, or a new round of US strikes followed by Iranian retaliation on shipping and Gulf energy sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Trump say about the Iran war today?
Trump said the war on Iran will be "wrapped up soon" and that any deal must guarantee Iran cannot build a nuclear weapon.
Will the US strike Iran after the midterms?
It is possible. The Pentagon is preparing strike options for after November 3, but Trump has not announced a decision and talks are continuing.
What did Iran's foreign minister warn?
Abbas Araghchi warned of an "earth-shattering blow" if Iran is attacked again.
What is happening in the Strait of Hormuz?
Iran's Revolutionary Guards say four tankers caught fire and exploded on unauthorised routes, and a tanker called Louise 1 was hit by limpet mines. Shipping remains heavily disrupted.
What is the oil price today?
Brent crude was about $117.62 a barrel and WTI about $113.58, according to Fox News.
This is a developing story and will be updated. Last updated: October 31, 2026.
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