IRAN STRATEGY : TEHRAN DELIBERATELY DELAYING U.S . NEGOTIATIONS TO WEAKEN TRUMP BEFORE MIDTERMS

What happened: Senior Iranian officials told Reuters that Tehran is deliberately prolonging negotiations with the United States to weaken President Donald Trump politically before the November 3 midterm elections, while preparing for possible renewed American Why it matters: Iranian officials said an agreement before the midterms would hand Trump a political victory while the Iran conflict, elevated gasoline prices and economic uncertainty are political liabilities for Republicans. Iranian analyst Saeed Leylaz said Iran was influencing the American election simply by extending negotiations.

Senior Iranian officials told Reuters that Tehran is deliberately prolonging negotiations with the United States to weaken President Donald Trump politically before the November 3 midterm elections, while preparing for possible renewed American

Iranian officials said an agreement before the midterms would hand Trump a political victory while the Iran conflict, elevated gasoline prices and economic uncertainty are political liabilities for Republicans. Iranian analyst Saeed Leylaz said Iran was influencing the American election simply by extending negotiations.