US President Donald Trump on Monday said the war with Iran was “militarily … effectively over”, signalling that he was not immediately considering a resumption of large-scale attacks, even as he warned that American forces remained ready to strike if circumstances changed.“We’re just keeping it the status quo,” Trump told reporters during an unexpected appearance in the White House briefing room after meeting Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.Trump said Iran had been “decapitated” but added that Washington was still seeking a long-term arrangement to ensure that Tehran’s nuclear programme was dismantled. He described the negotiations as showing “positive momentum” and said there was a “good chance” the conflict could end.“They’re talking to us, and they’re talking very politely, And we’ll see what happens,” he said.The president added that military action did not currently appear necessary, although he warned that the US remained prepared to resume operations.“The military action doesn’t seem to be a very necessary thing, but we’re locked and loaded, ready to go for any reason that changes,” Trump said.His remarks were among his clearest indications yet that he was moving away, at least for now, from threats to resume attacks after the US midterm elections.His Republican Party lost control of both chambers of Congress to Democrats in last week’s elections, which were marked by public dissatisfaction over the eight-month-old conflict and its impact on fuel prices and the global economy, according to AP.
US maintains military blockade as negotiations continue
Despite signalling a preference for maintaining the current situation, Trump gave no indication of plans to withdraw the thousands of US troops deployed to waters off Iran or end the naval blockade aimed at restricting Iranian oil exports.“We’re keeping it going. We have the greatest military blockade ever,” he said.Trump also reiterated that US forces had identified infrastructure targets, including 38 bridges, that could be attacked if military operations resumed. In a phone interview with CNN on Sunday, he said renewed strikes were “highly unlikely” if negotiations made progress and Tehran agreed to a “strong agreement”.The president also said Middle Eastern countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait, preferred the current situation.Qatar has been involved in diplomatic efforts surrounding the conflict. According to two Middle Eastern government officials cited by news agency AP, Qatari officials presented proposals concerning Iran’s nuclear programme last week.The White House declined to comment on the proposals, although Trump had previously referred to indirect contacts with Tehran.Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani described his meeting with Trump and Vice President JD Vance as “positive” in a post on X.Iran, however, has continued to demand several concessions before entering nuclear negotiations.These include an end to the US blockade on its ports, the lifting of sanctions, the unfreezing of Iranian assets, compensation for war damage and an end to hostilities across the region, including Israeli military operations in Lebanon.Iranian security council chief Mohsen Rezaei rejected reports of negotiations in a post on X, saying, “The war on Iran has already wrecked the US government. But Washington flails like a desperate gambler. FOLD YOUR HAND. STOP manufacturing FAKE NEWS about imaginary talks. Stop denying the West Asian NEW ORDER. Time to SURRENDER to the seven conditions Iran has repeatedly set out.”
Hegseth says next move rests with Trump
Earlier on Monday, US defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the next steps in the conflict were for Trump to decide, including whether Washington would declare an end to military operations while continuing to monitor Iran’s nuclear material.Hegseth suggested the president could tell Tehran: “Hey, we’re done, and we’re going to watch your nuclear material. You better not move it.”The defence secretary has been one of the administration’s most prominent defenders of the war.However, the conflict has faced criticism from lawmakers who argue that the administration launched military operations without proper congressional authorisation and violated the War Powers Resolution.Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky moved on Monday to force a vote on impeaching Hegseth, largely over his handling of the war, AP reported.Massie has also accused the defence secretary of knowingly carrying out “unlawful orders” by participating in military action against Iran without congressional authorisation, according to Al Jazeera.Trump has repeatedly threatened to escalate attacks if Tehran does not agree to US terms, but has previously stepped back from military action to allow more time for diplomacy, sometimes following appeals from Gulf allies.The US military has continued limited operations against Iran, including strikes on its air defences at least twice over the past week. It also fired on and disabled a commercial vessel on Saturday, which Washington said had attempted to breach the naval blockade on Iranian ports.
US warns citizens against travel to six Middle Eastern countries
Separately, the US State Department issued its highest-level travel advisory for six countries in the region — Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Syria and Yemen — citing security risks and limits on its ability to provide consular assistance.In a post on X, the department said the countries remained under Level 4 advisories, which urge American citizens not to travel there for any reason.“We assign Level 4 based on local conditions and/or our limited ability to help Americans there,” it said, adding: “These places are dangerous. Do not go for any reason.”The department also listed Afghanistan, Russia, Ukraine, Sudan and South Sudan among the 23 countries currently under its highest travel warning.
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