US President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that he is highly unlikely to order fresh attacks on Iran as long as talks to end the conflict make progress. In a phone interview with CNN, Trump mentioned that it depends on whether or not they sign a very strong agreement. He emphasized that the answer is highly unlikely to be necessary. This development comes as both countries reported that shipping had been hit in or near the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump also mentioned that if strikes resume, the US has identified potential infrastructure targets, including 38 bridges that can be knocked down in literally one hour. On Sunday afternoon, Trump posted on Truth Social that Task Force Iron Gate is in full force and effect on Iran. The campaign aims to crack down on Tehran's movement of advanced weapons and other sanctioned material over its land borders and through the Caspian Sea.
Trump acknowledged after the last week's US midterm elections that the Iran war was a part of the reason for Republicans' defeat. Vice President JD Vance stated definitively in a social media post that the reason they lost is the war. Trump told reporters on Sunday that a lot of people did not like Vance's comments on Iran. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to comment on Sunday on a link between the war and the elections.
Rubio stated that the president of the United States identified a very real threat to this country that existed for a very long period of time, and he addressed it. He also mentioned that the president would always prefer to solve this and every problem diplomatically. However, Rubio said that if there's a chance to do it, they will explore it, but right now, it hasn't been very productive because the Iranian demands are simply not just unacceptable.
The US and Iran have continued strikes on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, restricting exports of energy and other commodities vital to the world economy. Iran's state television said the evening explosions might be related to Iranian military activity in the waterway, where Iran said two vessels had hit mines and a third had caught fire. The US said its air force had disabled a vessel in the Gulf of Oman beyond the strait.
Commercial vessels and oil tankers have been hit since the US and Israel began attacks on Iran in February. Tehran has sought the upper hand by hitting vessels in the Strait of Hormuz to block Gulf energy exports, while US forces began blockading movements to and from Iranian ports in April. Monitors from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported an incident in the Gulf of Oman, approximately 18 nautical miles east of the United Arab Emirates' city of Khor Fakkan.
A conflict between Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen and Saudi Arabia has escalated this month, enlarging the wider Middle East war. Qatar, which has been mediating in talks to try to end a conflict that has shaken the world economy, denied reports that the US and Iran had failed to reach a deal. Iran has submitted a nuclear proposal to Washington through Qatar, a senior Iranian official told Reuters, saying the US was reviewing it but discussions would depend on Washington first meeting Tehran's seven demands.
Key points
- US President Donald Trump says he is highly unlikely to order fresh attacks on Iran as long as talks to end the conflict progress.
- The US and Iran have continued strikes on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, restricting exports of energy and other commodities vital to the world economy.
- Iran has submitted a nuclear proposal to Washington through Qatar, a senior Iranian official told Reuters.
