US President Donald Trump said renewed American attacks on Iran are "highly unlikely". He told reporters in the White House press briefing room on Monday that "Iran militarily is effectively over", KBC reported. He added that negotiations to end the Middle East conflict have "positive momentum".
Trump said the US is keeping the status quo. Washington is doing so at the request of Iran's neighbours, he said. He also warned that the US is "locked and loaded" should circumstances change.
Reporters asked him why he would not formally declare the war over. Trump replied that some US allies in the Gulf could still face Iranian attacks. According to BBC Swahili, he said the US has very good allies in the region and must make sure they are safe. Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are among the Gulf allies hit by Iranian attacks during the war, BBC Swahili reported. The threat of attacks has also badly disrupted air travel in the region.
Trump met Qatar's Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, in the Oval Office on Monday to discuss ending the war, BBC Swahili reported. In a post on X, the Qatari prime minister said he held positive talks with Trump and Vice-President JD Vance on reaching a deal and restoring peace in the region.
Iranian officials have repeatedly cast doubt on Trump's earlier claims about resolving the conflict. KBC noted that this is not the first time Trump has said the war is militarily over.
Trump has hinted at de-escalation since the Republicans suffered heavy losses in the November 3 midterm elections. Senior figures, including Vance, blamed the defeat on the Iran war, KBC reported. Before the vote, Trump said US forces had carried out what he called "minor strikes" on an Iranian island in the Strait of Hormuz. In a 60 Minutes interview that aired on Sunday, he said he saw no reason to escalate the conflict for now.