Trump Sees ‘Positive Momentum’ on Iran After Qatar PM Talks

United States President Donald Trump has expressed optimism about efforts to end the war with Iran, saying discussions with Qatar’s prime minister at the White House on Monday had generated positive momentum.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump described his meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani as productive, adding that they had discussed several issues concerning Iran.

The Qatari prime minister has played a key role in diplomatic efforts to mediate the conflict. 

The meeting was Trump’s first with a foreign leader since Republicans suffered significant losses in the midterm elections.

Before the elections, speculation had mounted that the United States would resume military strikes against Iran shortly after the vote.

Trump has since played down the prospect of renewed fighting, although he has not ruled out further military action.

In his latest statement, the US president maintained that American forces remained prepared to strike but described a resumption of attacks as unlikely. He cited the preference of key Gulf allies for maintaining the current situation.

Trump added that diplomatic efforts were showing signs of progress towards ending the conflict, while stressing that Washington would continue to protect its interests.

“We are seeing positive momentum toward an end to this Conflict, and will ensure that America’s interests are at all times protected,” Trump said.

His latest remarks were consistent with comments he made to CNN over the weekend, when he also described a return to fighting as highly unlikely.

Iranian officials, however, have maintained a defiant stance towards continued pressure from the United States.

Mohsen Rezai, Iran’s top security official, accused Washington of behaving like a desperate gambler in a post late Monday. He dismissed reports of diplomatic engagement as fabricated and urged the US to abandon what he described as false claims about negotiations.

Earlier, Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, accused Israel of drawing Washington further into the conflict.

Ghalibaf warned that unless the United States abandoned its ‘Israel First’ approach, Washington and its allies could face a prolonged period of instability.

Meanwhile, Iranian authorities reported that attacks were continuing in parts of the country, despite the absence of public acknowledgement from the US military.

Qeshm Island, situated in the Strait of Hormuz, was struck overnight between Sunday and Monday, according to the provincial deputy governor, who disclosed the incident on state television.

Trump has also acknowledged that the war contributed to the Republican Party’s poor performance in the midterm elections.

The conflict has added to economic pressures in the United States, particularly through rising prices, making it an issue of concern for voters.