Rubio says Trump undecided on new Iran strikes amid stalled talks

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said President Donald Trump has not yet decided on fresh strikes against Iran. Rubio made the remark on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at a press conference in Atlanta while hosting G20 foreign ministers for a two‑day meeting. He noted that the United States could achieve its military objectives if it chose to, but added that Trump "hasn't made a decision" on further action. The comment came as media reports linked a possible U.S. attack to the upcoming midterm elections on November 3, 2026. Rubio said no announcement would be made that day and stressed that any move would not be taken lightly. He condemned Tehran for "actively and openly" targeting commercial vessels, yet also said Trump prefers a diplomatic solution to end the war with Iran. Rubio gave no timeline for the talks, stating he would not characterise progress or set a timeframe, but that the U.S. would be open to diplomacy. ## Reactions Iran's supreme leader also issued a warning on October 31, 2026, telling the United States and Israel not to launch new attacks after recent threats to resume strikes following crucial elections. President Trump earlier warned he was weighing whether to "finish them off" after the midterms, a stance that could alarm U.S. allies. On Thursday, October 29, 2026, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged a diplomatic solution, saying escalation benefits no one. ## Context The dispute reflects a broader pattern of tension between diplomatic negotiations and military options in the Iran‑U.S. relationship, with regional allies watching closely for any shift toward escalation.