Trump Calls Further Iran Strikes 'Highly Unlikely' After Midterm Losses
The president hinted at de-escalation following a bruising election for Republicans, while his defense secretary faces an impeachment push.
By Victoria Hayes ·
President Donald Trump declared on Monday that additional United States military strikes against Iran are "highly unlikely," stating that the country "militarily is effectively over." Speaking from the White House press briefing room, the president described the current situation as maintaining the status quo at the request of neighboring nations. He added that while the US forces remain "locked and loaded," the administration sees "positive momentum" toward negotiations.
This shift in rhetoric follows a damaging set of midterm election results for Republicans last week. Senior party figures, including Vice President JD Vance, attributed their electoral losses to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. In a Sunday interview with 60 Minutes, Trump noted he did not see any reason to escalate the war, contrasting this with his earlier description of "minor strikes" on an Iranian island in the Strait of Hormuz.
The administration has engaged in indirect mediation efforts with Tehran since joint US-Israeli strikes sparked the war in February. Trump hosted Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani in the Oval Office earlier on Monday. The two leaders discussed ending the conflict, with Al Thani posting on X that they held "positive discussions" on reaching a deal for regional peace. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates have all suffered Iranian strikes and air travel disruptions during the war.
Political pressure within the Republican administration is mounting over the war's cost. On Monday, Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican, introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Massie criticized the military strategy, while Trump defended his cabinet member by calling the impeachment effort a "sham." Hegseth stated he is "not worried" about the move.
Democratic leaders have signaled their intent to pursue impeachment once they assume control of both chambers of Congress in January. Until then, the Republican majority in Congress makes a successful impeachment bid difficult. Trump has maintained that the US naval blockade of Iranian ports helps secure the region for its Gulf allies, even as he avoids officially declaring an end to the war.
