Trump says US keeps Iran blockade and stays 'locked and loaded' as Qatar presses for a deal
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After meeting Qatar's prime minister, President Trump said the US will keep its "status quo" posture on Iran, including the naval blockade and Operation Iron Gate. He said he hopes for a deal and sees the conflict ending fairly soon.
President Donald Trump said on Monday that the United States is keeping its "status quo" military posture toward Iran. He spoke after meeting Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani at the White House. The Qatari prime minister said the talks, which also included Vice President JD Vance, focused on regional developments and ways to advance US-Iran talks. He called the discussions on reaching a deal positive.
Trump said on Truth Social that Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and others would prefer the status quo. He described this as a continuation of the naval blockade and the new Operation Iron Gate, which he said applies pressure by land and sea. He also pointed to another aircraft carrier, which he said was "loaded up to the gills."
Trump said the US is "locked and loaded" if circumstances change, but that he considers this unlikely and military action does not seem necessary. He said he hopes to make a deal, sees momentum toward ending the conflict, and expects it to end fairly soon. He repeated that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, calling this non-negotiable.
Iranian official Mohsen Rezaei rejected the reports of negotiations as "fake news" and urged Washington to accept Iran's seven conditions. The Financial Times, citing a diplomat, reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been urging Trump daily to resume strikes, while regional leaders urge him to prioritise negotiations. Brent crude fell nearly 7% to $91.61 a barrel on hopes of diplomacy.
