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Deep distrust is complicating peace efforts between the US and Iran — and many inside the Trump administration are skeptical that a deal can be reached. “We’ve seen this movie before,” one administration official said. “There’s not a lot of trust on either side.” Some, like US Ambassador to Türkiye Tom Barrack, feel optimistic about a possible deal. But President Donald Trump is preparing for escalation; The Wall Street Journal reported that he was briefed this week on military options by top Pentagon officials. Trump’s final decision could come down to who has his ear. Many inside the White House worry about reengaging militarily post-midterms, even as they acknowledge there aren’t many good options left. US Central Command and Trump, the administration official said, are among the few leaning towards military action, with “the biggest variable” being Gulf states’ ability to convince the president to back off.
document fetched 2026-10-31 02:55 · canonical https://semafor.com/article/10/30/2026/distrust-complicates-iran-talks