Trump Declares Iran War Near Over; Netanyahu Urges Renewed Strikes

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the war with Iran is "practically over" from a military standpoint and that Washington sees no immediate need to resume large-scale strikes. However, according to the Financial Times, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is attempting to persuade the U.S. president to initiate a new round of hostilities. Meanwhile, leaders of Arab nations are urging Trump to avoid escalation.

Speaking at the White House on Monday evening after a meeting with Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who is mediating between Washington and Tehran, Trump told reporters, "Iran's military capabilities are effectively destroyed. We are simply maintaining the current situation." He asserted that Iran's military leadership has been "decapitated" and a significant portion of its defense industry production capacity has been destroyed. Trump expressed confidence that the conflict could conclude soon, noting that Iranian leadership is in contact with Washington and shows readiness to discuss settlement terms. "They are talking to us, very politely. We'll see what happens," the president said, emphasizing he does not currently deem a new large-scale military operation necessary. U.S. forces, however, remain fully prepared to resume strikes if circumstances change. Associated Press reported that Trump did not announce a reduction of the U.S. military presence in the Middle East, with a naval blockade of Iranian ports and U.S. forces maintaining a presence near the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. conducted several limited operations against Iranian military targets in the past week.

Trump indicated that leaders of Gulf states are encouraging his decision not to resume a large-scale air campaign. He stated that Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and other countries prefer maintaining the status quo over further military escalation. Israel's position, according to the Financial Times, differs significantly. Arab leaders are reportedly concerned by Netanyahu's efforts to convince Trump to restart offensive operations against Iran. A source familiar with the consultations told the British newspaper that the Israeli prime minister calls the U.S. president almost daily, urging him to continue the war, while those opposing the war try to counter these efforts. Conversely, Arab leaders are persuading Trump to avoid further escalation and focus on diplomatic negotiations, fearing that new hostilities could lead to Iranian retaliatory strikes on their territory and infrastructure.

Another Financial Times source, familiar with the situation in Israel, confirmed Netanyahu's interest in resuming military operations but stated that Israel is not currently conducting an active pressure campaign on Trump. There has been no official confirmation of daily phone calls between the two leaders. Diplomatic negotiations remain stalled. The Financial Times reports that mediators are discussing a potential interim agreement involving the restoration of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for easing the U.S. blockade, allowing Iranian oil exports, and releasing some frozen Iranian assets. A major obstacle is approximately 440 kilograms of highly enriched uranium in Iran's possession. Washington demands the transfer of these reserves out of the country and access for international inspectors to key nuclear facilities, while Tehran refuses to transfer the uranium and insists on the prior lifting of sanctions and an end to the military blockade.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously stated that the parties have not approached a diplomatic breakthrough, calling some of Iran's demands "outrageous, absurd, and unrealistic." He noted that the U.S. president prefers a diplomatic resolution, but it is not always possible. Iranian authorities, in turn, deny progress in negotiations. "The U.S. must stop spreading fake news about imaginary negotiations. It is time to surrender to the seven conditions that Iran has repeatedly put forward," Rezaei stated, emphasizing that Tehran has no intention of abandoning its demands, which include ending hostilities on all fronts, lifting U.S. blockades and sanctions, releasing frozen assets, compensation for war damages, and reducing the U.S. military presence in the region.

Following the Republican Party's loss of control over both houses of Congress in the November 3 midterm elections, Trump acknowledged that the war with Iran, rising gasoline prices, and negative voter sentiment towards Israel were among the reasons for his party's defeat. Global oil prices have noticeably decreased following the U.S. president's recent statements, as market participants interpreted his words as a sign of reduced probability for an immediate resumption of large-scale military operations against Iran.