By The Republic Standard News Staff
President Donald Trump said the nearly nine-month U.S. war in Iran was “effectively over,” while maintaining that American forces remain prepared to resume military action if necessary.
Speaking at a White House press conference after meeting Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in the Oval Office, Trump said further escalation was not currently needed. Al Thani had urged Trump not to restart fighting with Iran.
“At this point, taking the military action doesn’t seem to be a very necessary thing,” Trump said, adding that U.S. forces were “locked and loaded” for any reason.
Trump said Israel and U.S. Gulf allies were protected from Iran, naming Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait. He also said Iran would not be permitted to develop a nuclear weapon.
“We’re seeing momentum toward the end of this conflict,” Trump said. “I think it’s going to be ending fairly soon.”
The United States continued moving troops to the Middle East before the midterm elections, amid speculation about renewed military action. Republicans lost both houses of Congress in those elections, and Vice President JD Vance said the Iran war was a key factor in the party’s defeats.