Trump says Iran talks are underway through mediators but warns U.S. will finish conflict ‘through a deal or another way’

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that negotiations with Iran are underway through regional mediators, while warning that Washington remains prepared to end the conflict by other means if diplomacy fails.

“We need to finish the job — either through a deal or another way,” Trump told Axios. “We will find out if negotiations can succeed.”

The talks are being led by Qatar with support from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan and Egypt, as mediators seek to prevent a renewed U.S.-Israeli military campaign after the Nov. 3 midterm elections.

Qatari officials have presented Tehran with proposals aimed at narrowing differences over Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, renewed access for U.N. nuclear inspectors, sanctions relief, frozen Iranian funds and the U.S. naval blockade.

Iranian officials have said the latest ideas remain unacceptable in their current form, while Tehran continues to signal that it is willing to pursue diplomacy.

Trump discussed Iran with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Steve Witkoff during a trip to Texas on Tuesday and reviewed the issue again with his national security team Wednesday.

Saudi officials have separately urged the White House not to rush into renewed war and to give the mediation effort more time.

U.S. and Israeli officials are meanwhile preparing for the possibility of a new round of strikes if negotiations fail.