Trump says Iran’s military threat has passed as he signals conflict may end

Donald Trump said Iran’s military threat was “effectively over” and that there was a “good chance” the conflict could end, signalling that he was not currently planning to resume missile strikes. He said military action was not necessary for now, while keeping US forces ready to act and emphasising that a long-term agreement must prevent Iran from pursuing a nuclear programme.

The remarks followed a meeting with Qatar’s prime minister and came after Republicans lost both chambers of Congress in elections shaped partly by public dissatisfaction with the eight-month war and its contribution to higher fuel prices. Thousands of US troops remain deployed near Iran, and a US naval blockade is continuing. Qatar has reportedly presented proposals on Iran’s nuclear programme, while Tehran is demanding an end to the blockade, sanctions and regional hostilities before nuclear talks.