Trump Says War with Iran Is Effectively Over Militarily as Blockade Continues
Key Facts
U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday that the war with Iran was "effectively over militarily," but said the United States was maintaining the status quo. The remarks came after his meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, whose country is acting as a mediator between Tehran and Washington. Trump did not announce an end to operations or a deal, but said military action did not appear necessary for now. He added that U.S. forces were "ready to move for any reason or change in circumstances," putting his talk of de-escalation alongside an open military option. He also said Iran had been "decapitated" militarily, describing what he saw as a retreat in Iran's military position.
Trump kept the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports in place, saying: "We continue to do that; we have the greatest military blockade ever." He gave no indication that the deployment of thousands of U.S. troops moved to waters off Iran would be reduced; they continue to enforce the blockade. He said countries in the region, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait, preferred the status quo. That means his characterization of the war as effectively over militarily was not accompanied by any announced change in the deployment or maritime restrictions. Nor did he announce a formal shift to negotiations or a halt to operations.
Still, Trump said negotiations were gaining "positive momentum" and that he saw a "good chance" of ending the war. He offered no details of an imminent deal or an agreed framework, while the Associated Press reported that Qatari officials had presented proposals concerning Iran's nuclear program the previous week, citing Middle Eastern government officials familiar with the matter. Qatar's Foreign Ministry said on November 3 that Doha was continuing to facilitate the exchange of proposals and that both sides had shown a commitment to reviewing them. It said, however, that contacts had yielded no specific breakthrough, despite an exchange of views on proposals under consideration. U.S. and Gulf officials, by contrast, questioned the prospect of an imminent deal, Reuters reported on November 9.
Iran's terms center on steps that must precede any nuclear discussion. The Associated Press reported that Tehran's main demands include ending the blockade of its ports, lifting sanctions, releasing its assets, compensation for war damage and a halt to hostilities in the region. A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Iran had sent a nuclear proposal through Qatar and that discussion of it was conditional on Washington meeting seven Iranian demands. According to Reuters, the proposal includes ending the U.S. blockade, lifting some sanctions and stopping the bombing, in exchange for Tehran ending its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, followed by nuclear talks and further discussions on sanctions. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Iran's terms as "excessive, ridiculous and unrealistic," while Iran's foreign minister defended the plan as the most reasonable offer on the table. Iranian security official Mohsen Rezaei said Tehran would not open the strait or enter negotiations before the seven conditions were met.
Military activity continued despite Trump's remarks that no new military action was needed. The Associated Press reported that the U.S. military carried out limited strikes on Iran, including against its air defenses, at least twice during the previous week. It also fired on and disabled a commercial vessel on Saturday, saying the ship had tried to breach the blockade. Reuters reported continued attacks by both sides, including a U.S. strike on Qeshm Island and Iranian attacks on tankers in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz during the month. Tanker attacks rose sharply in October and remained at their highest pace since the war began, according to figures from international maritime agencies cited by Reuters. The Washington Post said Iran still retained a strong military arsenal despite months of U.S. and Israeli bombardment, and that any major new attack could expose U.S. forces and their allies to a significant Iranian response.
Hopes for de-escalation lifted markets in Monday's session on November 9, as the S&P 500 rose 2.3% to 7,549.94 points, its best session for U.S. stocks since April, according to the Associated Press. Brent crude fell 5.8% in the same session. In a broader context, The Washington Post said oil flows had rebounded under tighter U.S. naval protection, but prices remained elevated. A UAE official, according to Reuters, said a comprehensive political settlement between the United States and Iran appeared difficult, warning of a prolonged period of uncertainty. Qatari mediation and the exchange of proposals continue, with no announced breakthrough or set date for a deal.