Trump: The US is for now maintaining the current situation with Iran

American President Donald Trump stated that new US attacks on Iran are “very unlikely” and that Washington is for now maintaining the current situation, but that US forces are ready to respond if circumstances change, N1 reported.

Trump said at a press conference at the White House that the current situation is being maintained at the request of countries neighboring Iran. He assessed that Iran is practically defeated militarily and that there is positive progress in negotiations to end the conflict in the Middle East.

He made the statement after a meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani, at which they discussed negotiations to end the war, the BBC reported. The Qatari leadership described the talks with Trump and US Vice President JD Vance as positive and aimed at reaching an agreement and establishing peace in the region.

Negotiations between Washington and Tehran on a peace agreement are mostly conducted through third countries. The war began with joint US-Israeli attacks in February, and Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, US allies in the Persian Gulf, were targeted by Iranian attacks during the conflict.

Trump said he sees no reason for further escalation, but does not want to officially declare the end of the war because some Gulf allies could still be exposed to Iranian attacks.

World oil prices fell further after his statements. Brent crude fell by more than one percent on Tuesday afternoon, to $91.50 per barrel, while the price of US oil dropped by 1.2 percent, to $85.82.

Political pressure on the Trump administration over the war increased after poor results for Republicans in the recent congressional elections. Republican Congressman Thomas Massie announced that this week he will request a vote on the impeachment of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth because of his role in the war.

Trump supported Hegseth, who called the initiative unserious. The Democrats announced that they could initiate proceedings after taking control of both houses of Congress in January.