Iran live updates: Tehran plans new 'restricted zone' outside Strait of Hormuz

Trump again said Sunday the conflict will end after the midterm elections.

President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military, government and infrastructure sites.

Delegations from the U.S. and Iran entered negotiations in June aimed at a war-ending deal based on a memorandum of understanding signed by both countries.

The U.S. and Iran have nonetheless continued to exchange strikes, with the strategic Strait of Hormuz as the primary flashpoint. Trump said in August that the U.S. would launch a "crushing economic operation" to force Tehran into submission.

President Donald Trump on Sunday said high gas prices are not a result of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, instead blaming Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil facilities and urging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to "stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia."

"This isn't done by the Middle East. This is done by what's happening with Russia and Ukraine. So we spoke to Mr. Zelenskyy about it. There are plenty of other targets," Trump said to reporters at his golf course in Doonberg, Ireland, during the final day of the 2026 Amgen Irish Open.

"Don't hit diesel fuel because that's hurting. That's hurting the world. We don't want him to hit diesel fuel," Trump added of Zelenskyy.

Trump also again said the war in Iran will end "right after the midterms," though suggested a conclusion may come sooner. "Gasoline's going to drop like a rock, just like it was just before I got -- I mean, I knew what I was doing. I had to do it," Trump said.

"Iran wants to make a deal so badly. They are calling constantly. They want to make a deal. They got to make the right deal. I'm not going to make a deal that's no good," he added.

Asked about Monday's planned meeting in Oman between representatives of the Gulf nations and Iran, Trump said, "I don't care. That's up to them, that's fine. They could be happy."

"We'll ultimately get out, unless we decide to stay and keep the oil, like Venezuela," Trump said.

An Iranian commercial vessel was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz early Sunday morning, leaving one person dead and four crew members wounded, according to Iranian state media.

The state-run Islamic Republic News Agency quoted the governor of Qeshm Island saying that an Iranian container ship was hit by an “unidentified projectile” near the island of Hengam.

The episode came as Iran prepared to meet with Gulf states in Oman on Monday to discuss safe passage for shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.