TL;DR
Get everyday essentials delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
President Donald Trump said renewed U.S. strikes on Iran are “highly unlikely” if negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz make progress. He also warned he could order attacks if he considers them necessary, as the conflict and efforts to reach a deal continue.
President Donald Trump said renewed U.S. strikes on Iran are “highly unlikely” if negotiations make progress, but he warned that he could still order attacks as Washington seeks an agreement on Iran’s nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. His comments leave the military option open while talks continue over two issues central to ending the more than eight-month-old conflict.
In an interview with CNN, Trump said the likelihood of restarting open war depended on whether Iran agreed to a strong deal. “The answer is highly unlikely it’s going to be necessary,” he said, adding that Iran was “a failing nation.” The report did not provide further details about the interview’s timing or the status of negotiations.
Trump also reiterated threats to strike Iranian infrastructure if fighting resumes, referring to bridges and power plants. He said the United States had three aircraft carriers in the area and claimed that 38 bridges could be destroyed in an hour. Those statements describe Trump’s military posture and threats; the report does not say that strikes on those targets have been ordered or carried out.
Later, Trump posted on Truth Social that “Task Force Iron Gate is in full force and effect in the Islamic Republic of Iran,” and said a naval blockade meant little could enter or leave the country. U.S. Central Command announced the task force on Saturday and described its purpose as preventing the movement of advanced weapons systems, dual-use technologies, sanctioned materials and illegal revenue streams across Iran’s land borders and the Caspian Sea. The United States has maintained a naval blockade of Iranian ports for months, according to CNBC.
Talks Face Military and Economic Pressure
The comments matter because they indicate that the White House is publicly linking the prospect of renewed attacks to the progress of negotiations, without ruling out force. That leaves Iran facing both a stated diplomatic path and continued U.S. military pressure. Trump’s remarks do not establish that a deal is close, or that a new attack is imminent.
The conflict has contributed to higher oil prices and inflation, CNBC reported. A ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz could ease pressure on oil markets, but earlier attempts to end the war and reopen the waterway have failed. The strait is a key focus of negotiations because Trump has demanded that Iran fully reopen it as part of any agreement.
Domestic politics may also affect the pressure to end the conflict. CNBC reported that Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in the midterm elections and that Republicans could face pressure over high gasoline prices. Those political implications are context, not evidence that the election result has changed the course of negotiations or military plans.
Popular right now
Ninja DualZone Air Fryer 10 Qt Smart 6-in-1 Grey
Dyson Airsmooth Styling Brush
De'Longhi Magnifica Start Fully Automatic Espresso Machine with Milk Frother, Silver
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Eight Months of War and Failed Truces
The conflict has lasted more than eight months, with bursts of fighting separated by ceasefires and peace talks. According to CNBC, repeated efforts to secure a truce and reopen the Strait of Hormuz have been met with disappointment. The report gives no detailed timeline of those previous efforts or terms agreed during them.
Trump has said a deal must constrain Iran’s nuclear program and require Iran to agree never to develop a nuclear weapon. He has also demanded the strait be fully opened. The source report describes these as U.S. demands; it does not say Iran has accepted them or that the sides have reached agreement on the terms.
U.S. pressure includes the naval blockade of Iranian ports and the newly announced Task Force Iron Gate. Central Command’s description places the task force’s stated focus on border and Caspian Sea movements, while the blockade applies to Iranian ports. The report does not explain how the two efforts will be coordinated or detail their operational rules.
““Preventing the movement of advanced weapons systems, dual-use technologies, sanctioned materials, and illegal revenue streams across Iran’s land borders and the Caspian Sea.””
— U.S. Central Command, describing Task Force Iron Gate
Deal Terms and Strike Plans Remain Unknown
The source report does not establish whether negotiations are making progress, what specific terms are under discussion, or whether Iran has responded to Trump’s demands. It also does not say when talks might resume or produce an agreement. Trump’s statement that strikes are highly unlikely is conditional, not a guarantee that fighting will not restart.
It remains unclear whether the U.S. has approved any new attack plans, whether the bridges and power plants Trump mentioned are formal targets, or what steps would trigger military action. The report also provides no independent assessment of his claim about the number of bridges or the time needed to strike them. The purpose of Task Force Iron Gate has been described by Central Command, but its operational details and results are not provided.
Negotiations Will Test Trump’s Condition
The immediate test is whether Washington and Tehran can make progress on the nuclear issue and the Strait of Hormuz, the conditions Trump cited for avoiding renewed strikes. Any confirmed agreement, change in the ceasefire or resumption of fighting would clarify whether his stated preference for a deal is translating into a change on the ground.
Further information from the U.S. government, Central Command or the parties to the negotiations may clarify the task force’s activity, the blockade’s status and the next steps in talks. Until those details emerge, Trump’s remarks establish a conditional warning and an expressed preference to avoid further strikes—not a confirmed decision to attack or a settled peace agreement.
Key Questions
Did Trump rule out further U.S. strikes on Iran?
No. He called renewed strikes “highly unlikely” if talks progress, but said he could still order attacks if he considered them necessary.
What does Trump say a deal with Iran must address?
According to the report, Trump has demanded limits on Iran’s nuclear program, a commitment that it will never develop a nuclear weapon, and the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Has the United States ordered strikes on Iranian bridges or power plants?
The report says Trump threatened those targets if the war restarts. It does not report that an order has been issued or that the strikes have taken place.
What is Task Force Iron Gate?
U.S. Central Command described it as an initiative to prevent the movement of advanced weapons systems, dual-use technologies, sanctioned materials and illegal revenue streams across Iran’s land borders and the Caspian Sea. The report does not give operational details or results.
Is a deal to end the conflict close?
The available report does not establish that a deal is close. Trump made further strikes conditional on progress, but the status of negotiations and Iran’s response to U.S. demands remain unclear.
Source: cnbc.com
