Iran war 'virtually over', claims Trump; naval blockade stays, fresh strikes threatened if needed

US President Donald Trump has hinted at an end to the war against Iran under pressure from Middle Eastern allies. He claimed that, militarily, the Iran war is 'virtually over'. Washington will, however, keep the naval blockade on the country for now. He also said preparations are in place to resume military operations if needed.

Qatar-based news outlet Al Jazeera reported that Trump made the remarks at a surprise press conference after a closed-door meeting in Washington on Monday local time with Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. US Vice President JD Vance was also present at the meeting.

At the press conference, Trump said: 'Militarily, Iran (the war) is virtually over. We are only maintaining the current situation. This is mainly being done at the request of Iran's neighbouring countries.'

He said several Middle Eastern countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait, favour maintaining the current situation for now. That means the US naval blockade on Iran's ports will continue. The activities of the declared 'Taskforce Iron Gate', aimed at stopping Iran's trade via land routes and the Caspian Sea, will also continue.

Trump said: 'This is the largest naval blockade in our country's history. Probably never such a blockade in world history.' But he did not rule out the possibility of resuming military operations.

Trump said: 'The need for military action does not seem very high at the moment. But if the situation changes, we are fully prepared to take action again for any reason.'

He added that Israel and the Middle Eastern countries are now much safer from the Iranian threat. Progress is being made towards ending the conflict, and he believes the war may end soon.

Meanwhile, Iran has described Trump's remarks as an attempt to create confusion. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of the country's Supreme National Security Council, said on social media: 'The war against Iran has already exhausted the US government. But Washington is behaving like a desperate gambler.' He added: 'Fold the cards. Stop creating fake news about imaginary talks.'

On the other hand, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the country's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, wants an end to the current 'neither war nor peace' situation. Citing Iranian media, he said Iran is ready to sit for talks but will not surrender to any kind of pressure or use of force.

The war against Iran by the United States and Israel began on February 28. The conflict then spread across various countries in the Middle East. Almost immediately after the war began, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important waterways for transporting oil, gas and fertiliser.

Iran also carried out missile and drone attacks on Gulf countries including Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. Many of these attacks targeted US military installations.

The war has given other conflicts in the Middle East a new dimension. Saudi Arabia has launched a fresh operation against the Iran-backed Houthis. Israel, meanwhile, has expanded its occupation in southern Lebanon and carried out deadly air strikes.

In nearly nine months of war, US military operations against Iran have become largely irregular. Attacks and counter-attacks between the two sides occur from time to time. In recent days, the Trump administration said it carried out a 'limited-scale attack' on Iran's Qeshm Island. Washington has also announced a 20 million dollar reward for information on Iran's nuclear programme, related facilities, equipment and persons.

After the 12-day war in June 2025, Trump had claimed that Iran's uranium enrichment programme had been completely destroyed. Later, however, he presented limiting Iran's nuclear programme as one of the main goals of the ongoing war. Iran, on the other hand, has always denied the allegation of building nuclear weapons. Tehran says its uranium enrichment programme is run for civilian fuel production.

Iran has given the United States seven conditions to stop the war. The conditions include lifting US sanctions, releasing Iranian funds stuck abroad, recognition of a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with Oman, and stopping the war on all fronts. This includes the demand to stop Israeli attacks in Lebanon.

Qatar is acting as an important mediator in this conflict. The country's prime minister and foreign minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, is playing a role in maintaining communication between Washington and Tehran. At Monday's meeting with Trump, he is reported to have presented a two-day proposal from Iran to stop the war.