Trump: New Iran attacks "quite unlikely"
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President Donald Trump welcomes Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani aboard Air Force One in October 2025. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
President Trump said Monday that a renewed military campaign against Iran is "quite unlikely" and "doesn't seem to be necessary."
Why it matters: Trump stopped short of saying the war was over, but his comments on Truth Social and at an impromptu press conference were the furthest he went in that direction since February.
- Trump made his comments less than a week after conceding that the war was one of the reasons Republicans lost the midterm elections.
Driving the news: The president in recent days has been weighing three options: launch new strikes, continue to strangle Iran's regime economically, or cut a deal that includes significant concessions to the Iranians.
- Trump signaled on Monday that he's going with the strangle strategy for now. That means keeping up the "status quo" — continuing the naval blockade, in addition to a new operation dubbed "Iron Gate" to cut off land routes that Iran uses to move advanced weaponry and other technology.
- Trump said the war is "effectively over" militarily. But he added that he doesn't want to formally announce that before he makes sure U.S. allies in the region are safe.
- "We have great allies and we have to make sure they are not hurt. We want a long-term solution," Trump said.
State of play: Trump made his comments hours after meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani about the negotiations with Iran.
- "Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and others, would prefer the status quo" to resuming the war, Trump said.
- The Qatari prime minister also met separately with Vice President Vance, who's been leading the Iran talks for the administration in recent weeks. Al Thani wrote on X that he discussed with Trump ways "to progress the U.S.-Iran talks."
- "Grateful for the positive discussions on reaching a deal and bringing peace to the region," he added.
- A diplomat briefed on the details of the meeting said Trump made clear to Al Thani that he wants a deal and will give negotiations a chance. But he also noted that if Iranians don't take negotiations seriously, he could reverse course, the diplomat said.
What he is saying: "Should there be any change with respect to developments in the Middle East, the United States of America is locked and loaded and ready to go. At this point, however, that seems to be quite unlikely," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
- "We are seeing positive momentum toward an end to this Conflict, and will ensure that America's interests are at all times protected. At the conclusion of this Military Engagement, the American People, and the World, will be far safer and more secure," he added.
What to watch: Trump said that Iran is "talking very politely" with the U.S. and noted that there is a "good chance that could get ended," seemingly referring to the military conflict.
- "Hope we are gonna be able to make a deal with them," he added.
The other side: Iran's Supreme National Security Council secretary, Mohsen Rezaei, wrote on X shortly after Trump made his comments that the war "has wrecked the U.S. government."
- He called Trump comments about negotiations with Iran "imaginary" and called on the U.S. "to SURRENDER" to Iran's conditions for ending the war.
What we're watching: Oil prices have eased in recent weeks amid optimism that combat will end. Brent crude oil futures dropped to $92 on Monday.
