The Peninsula Times - Trump Says Iran War 'Militarily Over' After White House Meeting with Qatari PM

US President Donald Trump declared on Monday that military action against Iran is no longer necessary, stating the conflict is "effectively over" following a closed-door meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Abdularahman bin Jassim al-Thani at the White House.

Speaking to reporters after the talks, Trump expressed confidence in the diplomatic trajectory, noting there was "positive momentum" toward a deal to end the war. He signaled that while the United States remains prepared for military intervention, the likelihood of resuming strikes has diminished significantly due to shifting regional dynamics.

"I believe the war with Iran is militarily effectively over," Trump told reporters. "Taking military action against Iran doesn't seem to be a very necessary thing."

In a subsequent post on Truth Social, the president elaborated on the geopolitical landscape, asserting that Gulf states are eager to preserve the status quo rather than escalate hostilities. He wrote that Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Kuwait all prefer the continuation of what he termed "the Greatest Naval Blockade in History" alongside "Operation Iron Gate," which encompasses both land and sea measures.

"All have agreed that Iran cannot have a Nuclear Weapon — That is non-negotiable!" Trump wrote. He added that while these nations favor stability, the United States remains "locked and loaded" and ready to act should developments in the Middle East shift unfavorably.

Trump emphasized that he was not rushing to resume military operations, expressing satisfaction with the current naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. "We'll see where it goes," he said in a brief phone interview. "I'm prepared."

The meeting between Trump and Sheikh Abdularahman lasted approximately 45 minutes and was closed to cameras, according to Al Jazeera. The Qatari leader later described the discussions with the US President and Vice President JD Vance as "positive," expressing gratitude for the dialogue aimed at bringing peace to the region.

Qatar has served as a primary diplomatic intermediary between Washington and Tehran since the outbreak of conflict on February 28. Doha has worked to maintain communication channels, convey proposals, and narrow differences regarding ceasefire terms, Iran’s nuclear program, and freedom of navigation through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

This diplomatic effort, coordinated with Pakistan and other regional partners, previously helped secure a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran on June 18. That agreement addressed outstanding issues including the cessation of military operations and the restoration of maritime navigation. Although the resulting truce proved short-lived, Qatar continued its mediation efforts to prevent the collapse of the agreement from derailing broader settlement attempts.

Since then, Doha has maintained sustained engagement with both capitals, facilitating the exchange of proposals and exploring confidence-building measures. The latest diplomatic push gained momentum last week when a Qatari delegation traveled to Tehran for extensive consultations with Iranian officials. Those talks, lasting approximately three hours, focused on bridging differences between Washington and Tehran regarding sanctions relief, security guarantees, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, whose disruption has threatened global energy supplies and international trade.

(T.Byrne--TPT)