Trump shifts tone on Iran conflict after US election losses

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Nov, 23:31 · Archive

President Trump has alternated between declaring the Iran war 'militarily effectively over' and threatening military action, leaving unclear his administration's next steps.

President Trump has issued contradictory statements about the direction of the Iran conflict since the midterm elections, leaving the Middle East uncertain about his next move. The 8-month-old war and its global economic consequences contributed to Republican electoral losses, Trump acknowledged, though he maintained military action was justified.

After meeting with Qatar's prime minister at the White House this week, Trump told reporters he believed major new strikes on Iran were 'highly unlikely' and declared the war 'militarily effectively over'. However, by Thursday he was again raising questions about whether to pursue an endgame, stating the US no longer needs a deal with Tehran. He directed Vice President JD Vance, his chief Iran negotiator in earlier peace talks, to focus instead on a domestic anti-fraud campaign.

Trump warned Iran that the US military remains 'locked and loaded' and is monitoring Pickaxe Mountain, a facility linked to Iran's nuclear programme. 'If something does not work out, I would not hesitate' to act, he told conservative broadcaster Hugh Hewitt on Thursday.

How it is being reported

• With shifting Iran rhetoric following U.S. elections, Trump leaves Mideast in limbo about path aheadPittsburgh Post-Gazette · 14 Nov, 22:19
• With shifting Iran rhetoric following U.S. elections, Trump leaves Mideast in limbo about path aheadWASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has had a lot to say about his thinking on the way ahead in the Iran war since Republicans were trounced in last week’s midterm elections.TribLIVE · 14 Nov, 19:28

In this story: Donald Trump · Iran · JD Vance · Qatar · Hugh Hewitt · United States

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