Hopes of a fresh US-Iran confrontation appear to be fading, but a lasting peace remains uncertain as President Donald Trump signals reluctance to resume military strikes against Tehran without a new agreement.
Trump has described a return to open hostilities as highly unlikely, although he maintains that further military action remains an option if Iran refuses to accept Washington’s demands.
In an interview with CNN on Sunday, the US president said the possibility of renewed strikes would depend on whether Tehran was willing to sign what he considers a sufficiently strong agreement.
His remarks come ahead of a scheduled White House meeting with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, whose country has been among the regional players attempting to broker an end to the conflict.
The meeting will be Trump’s first engagement with a foreign leader since the Republican Party suffered a major setback in last Tuesday’s midterm elections, losing control of Congress.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says diplomatic efforts have temporarily stalled as both sides assess the political implications of the American election results.
Araghchi suggested that the electoral outcome had disrupted mediation efforts, leaving uncertainty over when negotiations could resume.
The war, which began with US-Israeli strikes against Iran in late February, has also become a political liability for Trump, who has acknowledged that public opposition to the conflict contributed to his party’s electoral defeat.
Araghchi has seized on the development, arguing that growing American frustration with the war and Israel’s influence over Washington’s foreign policy could strengthen pressure for an end to the conflict.
Despite signalling a preference for diplomacy, Trump continues to insist that economic pressure and previous military operations have severely weakened Iran’s ability to resist American demands.
He also claimed that Iran was facing devastating inflation and financial deterioration, although official Iranian figures put year-on-year inflation at nearly 90 per cent in September.
Tensions remain particularly high around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical international shipping route for global energy supplies.
Iran continues to threaten restrictions on the strategic waterway, while the US Navy maintains a counterblockade targeting Iranian ports.
Adding to the uncertainty, Iranian state television reported an attack on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz overnight Sunday, following reports of two explosions from the country’s official news agency.
Qatar and Pakistan have been among several regional powers attempting to secure a lasting ceasefire, but their mediation efforts have yet to produce a comprehensive settlement.
Although large-scale fighting has largely subsided, the continuing maritime confrontation, economic pressure and unresolved diplomatic differences leave the region facing the risk of another escalation.
