Trump said the Iran war was effectively over in military terms and that large-scale U.S. attacks were unlikely for now, while leaving open a return to action if circumstances changed.

His optimism was conditional on progress in negotiations and contrasted with recent reports that he might order major strikes after the midterm elections.

The comments followed Trump’s White House meeting with Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and discussions involving JD Vance; Qatar and other Gulf states have urged him not to restart the fighting.

Trump said Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait wanted the current arrangement maintained, and he hoped to reach a peace deal while keeping U.S. forces ready to intervene.

That arrangement includes a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports and Operation Iron Gate, which Trump said would continue to restrict Iran’s trade and movement of weapons-related materials.

Reuters reported that Iran had sent the United States a proposal through Qatari mediators seeking sanctions relief and a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz; Washington was reviewing it, but Iranian officials disputed that talks were underway.

Reported Iranian demands also include ending U.S. attacks on Iran and its regional allies, lifting the blockade and sanctions, allowing oil exports, releasing frozen assets and paying reparations.

Iranian official Mohsen Rezaei called reports of negotiations “imaginary,” while negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused Washington of prolonging the war under an “Israel first” approach.

Despite Trump’s talk of de-escalation, the United States has continued limited strikes, including what he described as “minor strikes” on Iranian air defenses on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz; Iranian authorities said attacks there were continuing.

A lasting settlement and the restoration of broad commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remain uncertain, with Iran likely to retain military influence over the vital route.

The shift in tone follows Republican losses in both chambers of Congress in the midterm elections; Vance said the Iran war contributed to the defeats, and Rep. Thomas Massie sought to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the conflict.

Massie filed eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth, alleging he waged war without congressional authorization; Hegseth dismissed the effort, Trump backed him, and a House vote could come as early as Wednesday.