Trump Says Renewed Iran Strikes Are “Quite Unlikely” After Qatar Talks

President Donald Trump said on November 9 that renewed U.S. military action against Iran appeared unlikely after a conversation with Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. He said Washington remained ready to respond if circumstances changed, while pointing to momentum toward ending the conflict. In his statement, Trump said Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and other countries preferred maintaining the naval blockade and an operation he called Iron Gate, involving land and sea. He said those governments agreed that Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon, a condition he described as non-negotiable. Trump also said American interests would remain protected. Qatar’s prime minister said he had met Trump and Vice President JD Vance in Washington. He said the talks covered the regional situation and ways to advance U.S.-Iran negotiations. “Grateful for the positive discussions on reaching a deal and bringing peace to the region,” he wrote. Trump also asserted that Israel and the wider Middle East were protected from Iranian threats.