Trump calls Iran war 'effectively over' after talks with Qatar PM

· Politics · United States · Iran

President Donald Trump said on Monday that the US war with Iran is "effectively over" and that further strikes would not be necessary, while keeping US forces "locked and loaded". Speaking after meeting Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani at the White House, Trump said Qatar and Saudi Arabia wanted a peaceful solution and that renewed military action was "quite unlikely" if talks progress. He also tied avoiding new strikes to progress on Iran's nuclear programme and the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials dismissed his remarks as "fake news". Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tehran's latest conditions for talks were "outrageous and ridiculous", while Iran defended its two-day proposal for restarting negotiations.

Why it matters：Signals that Washington is winding down a conflict that has roiled energy markets, after its unpopularity contributed to the Republican midterm rout.

Key points

  • Trump met the Qatari PM at the White House on Monday.
  • Oil had slumped to its lowest since August on optimism over diplomatic efforts.
  • Trump said he expects a summit with Putin and Xi next week.

Sources (original reporting)

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