U.S. President Donald Trump speaks in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House November 9, 2026 in Washington, DC.
Somodevilla chip | Getty Images
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the war with Iran could end “fairly quickly”, adding that Tehran was “speaking very politely” with Washington.
Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday, after a meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, that “we’re seeing momentum toward the end of this conflict. I think it’s going to end fairly soon.”
“Iran is finished militarily,” Trump said, citing the destruction of its navy and rising inflation that he said have gutted its economy.
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait “would prefer the status quo” that involves maintaining the naval blockade against Iran and “Operation Iron Gate” — a task force announced Saturday aimed at preventing Iran from using land routes to transport advanced weapons and other materials — Trump said in a Truth Social article.
He reiterated that Iran would not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons and left the door open to a possible resumption of strikes if circumstances changed. “America is ‘docked and loaded’ and ready to go,” he said, while warning that further strikes were “rather unlikely.”
The conflict, now in its ninth month, has led to soaring fuel prices, affecting almost every sector of the global economy.
The United States is reportedly planning a possible increase in naval forces in the Middle East in the run-up to the midterm elections, with Trump hinting there will be an escalation of conflict after the results.
The administration has since toned down its warlike rhetoric after disappointing midterm election results that saw Republicans lose both houses of Congress as voters expressed frustration over the soaring cost of living resulting from the war.
A diplomat briefed on the meeting in Qatar told Axios that Trump told Al Thani he wanted a deal and would give talks a chance, but could reverse course if Iran did not take the negotiations seriously.
Iran presented a two-day proposal to the United States through Qatari mediators, Reuters reported, citing a senior Iranian official, demanding the lifting of sanctions on Tehran and a new maritime route through the Strait of Hormuz. Washington was reviewing the proposal, according to the report.
Iranian officials have disputed that negotiations with Washington are underway. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, reportedly said Washington should stop “fabricating fake news about imaginary negotiations.”
Oil prices fell slightly on Tuesday in the prospect of a de-escalation, extending the losses of the previous day. West Texas Intermediate United States fell more than 1% to $85.8 a barrel, after sliding more than 4% in the previous session. Brent Futures fell more than 1% to $91.56 a barrel, hovering near 10-week lows.
Gn usa
