Trump says Iran war is ‘effectively over’ militarily but leaves strikes on the table

Donald Trump has said the war with Iran is “effectively over” militarily, while warning that US forces remain ready to strike again if circumstances change.

Speaking at the White House on Monday after meeting Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the president said further military action did not appear necessary at present. He did not formally declare an end to the conflict.

Asked why he would not do so, Trump said the US needed to protect its allies in the region and find a long-term solution. He said he intended to maintain the status quo, including the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and an operation aimed at restricting movements across Iran’s land borders.

The president had told CNN on Sunday that fresh attacks were highly unlikely if negotiations progressed and Iran signed a strong agreement. On Friday, he said US forces had carried out a limited strike against an Iranian air-defence system.

The war began with joint US-Israeli strikes in February. Qatar has acted as a mediator between Washington and Tehran. After Monday’s meeting, its prime minister described positive discussions with Trump and Vice-President JD Vance about reaching a deal and bringing peace to the region.

Iran’s security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, dismissed reports of negotiations as “imaginary” and called on Washington to accept Tehran’s conditions, Iran International reported. Iran has said it wants the US blockade and sanctions lifted, among other concessions, before nuclear talks. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday that a breakthrough was not close and called some Iranian demands unrealistic.