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President Donald Trump told CNN renewed U.S. attacks on Iran are “highly unlikely” if negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz make progress. He said U.S. forces are positioned to strike and described possible targets, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the talks were not close to a breakthrough.
President Donald Trump said Sunday it is “highly unlikely” he will order renewed U.S. attacks on Iran if negotiations over its nuclear program and reopening the Strait of Hormuz show progress. In a phone interview with CNN, Trump said the outcome depends on whether Iran signs what he called a “very strong agreement,” while also warning that U.S. forces are ready to strike if he decides military action is necessary.
Trump repeated that renewed attacks were “highly unlikely” several times during the 20-minute interview with CNN’s Jim Sciutto. He said he would use force if necessary, but argued that U.S. strikes had already hit Iran hard and that the country was under financial and military pressure. His statements describe his assessment; the report does not independently verify the condition of Iran’s forces or economy.
At the same time, Trump said the United States has identified potential targets, including power plants and bridges, and that three aircraft carriers were in the region. He said he did not want to destroy Iranian infrastructure, describing the damage as difficult and lengthy to repair. The interview did not specify when a decision about further military action might be made.
Diplomatic prospects remained uncertain. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking to reporters in Florida before traveling to a G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in Paris, said a deal did not appear close. He described Iran’s demands as unacceptable and unrealistic. The report says Iran, the United States and Qatari officials have offered little public detail about the negotiations.
Diplomacy Continues Under Military Threat
Trump’s remarks set out a conditional path away from renewed fighting: negotiations must make progress and, in his telling, produce a strong agreement. But his warning that forces are ready and that targets have been identified shows that the military option remains on the table. That combination matters to governments and businesses watching the conflict, especially because attacks on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz can threaten a key route for global oil transport.
The gap between Trump’s relative optimism about a possible deal and Rubio’s assessment that talks are not near a breakthrough also points to uncertainty over the negotiations’ direction. Neither public statement confirms that the two sides have reached an agreement on the nuclear program, maritime access or the terms required to avoid further strikes.
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A Stalemate Eight Months On
The report describes the conflict as having begun eight months before the interview. Since then, the United States and Iran have been in a stalemate, with little military activity or major diplomatic progress, while oil tankers moving through the Strait of Hormuz have faced Iranian attacks. Qatar has mediated discussions, but the parties have kept the status of negotiations largely private.
Washington has also continued pressure on Tehran. According to the report, the U.S. military began offering up to $20 million for information on Iran’s nuclear program and launched a task force to block Iran from using land routes to move advanced weapons and other materials. Iran, meanwhile, has faced U.S. sanctions that have hindered crude oil sales and frozen billions of dollars in assets held abroad. These developments form part of the backdrop to Trump’s claim that Iran is under growing financial strain.
Diplomatic contacts increased after the U.S. midterm elections. Qatar said Trump spoke with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani about de-escalation. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also spoke with counterparts from several countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Pakistan, Turkey and Qatar. The report says Iranian hardliners have cited the election results and opposition to the war among U.S. voters as evidence they believe could affect Washington’s negotiating position.
““I wouldn’t say we’re on the verge of a breakthrough.””
— Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking to reporters in Florida
Terms and Timeline Remain Unclear
The public statements do not establish what terms Iran and the United States are discussing, whether either side has accepted specific proposals, or when another round of negotiations might take place. Qatar has mediated the talks, but the report provides no account of their current status from Iranian or Qatari officials beyond the contacts described.
Trump’s figures about Iran retaining 10% of its missile capacity and 15% of its drone capabilities are his claims in the interview; the source material does not independently verify them or explain how the percentages were calculated. The report also does not establish whether the identified infrastructure targets would be struck, or what circumstances would trigger a U.S. decision to use force.
Negotiators Face the Next Test
The immediate test is whether diplomatic contacts produce movement on Iran’s nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz. Rubio was traveling to Paris for the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting, but the report does not say that a specific Iran agreement or announcement was expected there. Further statements from the United States, Iran or Qatar may clarify whether talks are advancing.
Until the parties disclose more about their negotiations, Trump’s comments remain a stated intention rather than a guarantee that fighting will not resume. The next developments to watch are any confirmed progress toward an agreement, changes in activity around the strait, and official decisions about U.S. military posture.
Key Questions
What did Trump say about renewed attacks on Iran?
Trump said renewed U.S. attacks are “highly unlikely” if negotiations make progress, but added that he would order military action if he considered it necessary.
What issues are the negotiations addressing?
Trump linked the talks to Iran’s nuclear program and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The report does not provide the specific terms under discussion.
Do the comments mean the United States and Iran have a deal?
No. The report describes no agreement. Rubio said the talks were not close to a breakthrough, and the parties have said little publicly about their status.
What military preparations did Trump describe?
Trump said three U.S. aircraft carriers were in the region and that potential targets inside Iran, including power plants and bridges, had been identified. These were his statements; the report does not confirm that strikes are planned.
What remains unknown about the talks?
The parties have not publicly detailed the proposed terms, whether any have been accepted, or when further negotiations may occur. It is also unclear what developments would prompt Trump to order renewed attacks.
Source: cnn.com
