Trump calls Iran war 'effectively over', but naval blockade will continue
United States President Donald Trump has signalled that he considers the US-Israeli war against Iran "effectively" at an end, after meeting with mediators from Qatar.
In a surprise briefing on Monday, Trump reiterated his position that the US had destroyed Iran's military. But his remarks suggested he faced pressure from allies in the Middle East to bring hostilities to a close.
"Iran, militarily, is effectively over. We're just keeping it the status quo," he said.
"We're doing that really at the behest of countries that are their neighbours," he added.
Trump clarified that the "status quo" would involve continuing the US naval blockade against Iranian ports, as well as the newly announced Task Force Iron Gate, which seeks to cut off trade by land and through the Caspian Sea.
"Much was discussed with respect to the Islamic Republic of Iran," Trump said.
"Most importantly, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and others would prefer the status quo, that we remain as is — in other words, a continuation of the greatest naval blockade in the history of our country. Probably in the history of the world."
Earlier, Trump and Vice President JD Vance hosted Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani at the White House to discuss the Iran war.
The prime minister posted on social media that he was "grateful for the positive discussions on reaching a deal and bringing peace to the region".
It is unclear whether Trump's latest statements significantly change US posture in the war.
Trump himself declined to commit to any long-term ceasefire. "I don't guarantee anything," he told the White House briefing room. "But if we do have to go back in, we are locked and loaded and ready to go."
Iranian officials, meanwhile, dismissed Trump's latest remarks as a distraction. Both sides have claimed victory throughout the conflict.
Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei wrote in a post on social media: "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."
Separately, through Iran's state-aligned Tasnim News Agency, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had called for an end to the situation, which he described as "neither war nor peace". Pezeshkian added that Iran was open to further negotiations but would not be coerced. "We will not surrender to force and bullying," he said.
