The key facts

  • After meeting with Qatar's Prime Minister, Trump called a resumption of military action against Iran 'highly unlikely'
  • According to him, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait support keeping the naval blockade of Iran in place
  • Tehran has effectively shut down movement through the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world's oil and LNG supplies passed before the war

Trump: military action against Iran unlikely for now

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that a resumption of military action against Iran is 'highly unlikely' at the moment, but stressed that Washington remains 'locked and loaded' if the situation in the Middle East changes. The statement was made in a post on Truth Social after closed-door talks with Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman at the White House, The National reports.

The Gulf states' position and the situation in the strait

According to Trump, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and other countries support the continuation of the US naval blockade of Iran. The President also noted that all the countries mentioned agree that Iran must never obtain nuclear weapons, calling this issue 'non-negotiable'.

Context of the nine-month conflict

Trump has been trying for several weeks to bring an end to the nine-month conflict with Iran. According to the outlet, Tehran has effectively shut down shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — a waterway through which about 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supplies passed before the war began. The disruptions have led to rising fuel prices worldwide and more expensive everyday goods in the US and other countries; attacks on vessels in the strait continue to disrupt crude oil flows through the key shipping channel of the Persian Gulf.

Statements after the midterm elections

The developments come after Trump's Republican Party's defeat in the US midterm elections, where voters cited the state of the economy as one of the main issues. Trump called the election results 'absurd', noting that 'he was not on the ballot'. Later, in an unusual appearance in the White House briefing room, he said there was a 'good chance' of ending the conflict with Iran, but would not guarantee anything: 'If we have to go back, we are locked and loaded and ready to act.' He also spoke of 'positive momentum' toward ending the conflict and pledged to protect US interests.