Iran prolongs talks with the United States while the negotiations remain stalled, senior Iranian officials say. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, say Tehran is deliberately extending the talks ahead of the US midterm elections in November as part of an effort to weaken Donald Trump politically.

Multiple outlets report that distrust between Washington and Tehran and fears of renewed military action also contribute to Iran’s reluctance to reach a quick deal. Sources describe a belief within Iran that the US president may be willing to resort to renewed attacks to break the stalemate in an eight-month-old war. A Tehran analyst cited by one outlet frames the strategy as influencing the US election without taking actions that would be “unlawful.”