Trump rules out Sunday strike on Iran

Summary

Donald Trump ruled out a strike on Iran on Sunday, even after saying the United States could act 'as soon as tomorrow' and, in the same remarks, that a 'big, beautiful' deal was possible, shifting the standoff from the timing of an attack toward a mix of threats and negotiation.⁠12

Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, warned that any new act of militarism would meet an 'unimaginable' response and said Tehran would not back down if attacked.⁠3

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a potential resumption of war with Israel and the United States would not change Iran's positions, while Tehran has threatened to hit energy and civilian targets if attacked.⁠45

Trump also said the US is monitoring activity at Iran's Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site and three other sites that were allegedly destroyed in earlier strikes.⁠1

In Sudan, a joint statement by the UK and 31 partners warned that the risk of famine is rising, with 19.5 million people facing acute hunger.⁠6

In Brazil, voters went to the polls on Sunday in a presidential runoff between incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and far-right senator Flávio Bolsonaro, a contest described as highly unpredictable, with polls showing the two candidates in a neck-and-neck race.⁠78

The next markers for Trump's decision on Iran are Israel's general election on October 27 and the US midterm elections on November 3, with Trump having backed Netanyahu's re-election.⁠91011