With shifting Iran rhetoric following US elections, Trump leaves Mideast in limbo about path ahead

What happened: After Republican midterm losses, President Trump shifted his rhetoric on the 8-month-old Iran war, backing away from both additional strikes and new talks with Iran, and Why it matters: Two Middle East diplomats said Trump's contradictory comments have clouded Qatar's effort to negotiate an interim agreement restoring traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, leaving mediators and Iran unsure whether he is abandoning a negotiated deal or posturing. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said economic pressure is collapsing the Iranian economy, removing the need for military action.

After Republican midterm losses, President Trump shifted his rhetoric on the 8-month-old Iran war, backing away from both additional strikes and new talks with Iran, and

Two Middle East diplomats said Trump's contradictory comments have clouded Qatar's effort to negotiate an interim agreement restoring traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, leaving mediators and Iran unsure whether he is abandoning a negotiated deal or posturing. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said economic pressure is collapsing the Iranian economy, removing the need for military action.