US President Donald Trump has said he is unlikely to order further military attacks against Iran, raising hopes that diplomatic efforts could help bring an end to the conflict.
Speaking in a telephone interview with CNN and later addressing reporters at the White House, Trump said the prospect of renewed strikes was "highly unlikely", provided Tehran makes progress towards an agreement with Washington.
He indicated that any decision to avoid further military action would depend on Iran accepting what he described as a strong agreement, particularly concerning its nuclear programme and the reopening of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
"We're just keeping it the status quo," Trump said, adding that American forces remained prepared to respond if the situation changed.
Qatar steps up diplomatic efforts
Trump's comments followed a meeting with Qatar's Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, at the White House on Monday.
Qatar has played an important mediating role between Washington and Tehran, seeking to reduce tensions and establish conditions for negotiations.
Following the meeting, the Qatari leader described discussions with Trump and Vice-President JD Vance as positive, expressing hope that diplomatic efforts could lead to an agreement and peace in the region.
The discussions come amid uncertainty over the future of negotiations. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has suggested that diplomatic activity had slowed following the recent US midterm elections.
Despite Trump's optimistic remarks, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has cautioned against expectations of an immediate breakthrough, describing some Iranian demands as unacceptable.
Strait of Hormuz remains a major issue
The future of the Strait of Hormuz is central to the negotiations because of its importance to international oil and gas supplies.
The waterway connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and is one of the world's most important routes for transporting energy.
Disruptions to shipping in the area have raised concerns about fuel supplies, transport costs and the wider impact on the global economy.
Washington wants the waterway reopened and secure for commercial shipping, while Iran has continued to use its strategic position in the region as leverage.
The United States is also maintaining pressure through restrictions on Iranian ports, making the economic and maritime situation another important part of any potential agreement.
Trump maintains military warning
Although Trump has played down the possibility of fresh attacks, he has not ruled them out completely.
He said American forces remained ready to act if developments in the region required a military response.
The president also claimed that US strikes had severely weakened Iran's military capabilities, although his assessment has not been independently established in full.
His comments reflect a dual approach: keeping military pressure in place while giving diplomatic negotiations an opportunity to produce results.
Political and economic pressure
The prospect of renewed fighting has become an increasingly important issue in American domestic politics.
Trump has acknowledged that the conflict contributed to Republican losses in the recent midterm elections, adding to pressure on his administration to demonstrate progress towards ending the war.
Financial markets have also reacted to signs of possible de-escalation. Oil prices fell on Monday as investors considered the possibility that negotiations could reduce the risk of further disruption to energy supplies.
However, the situation remains uncertain. Iran has not publicly accepted the conditions outlined by Washington, and the two sides continue to disagree over nuclear policy, regional security and control of the Strait of Hormuz.
For now, Trump's remarks offer a possible opening for diplomacy, but they do not amount to a ceasefire or a formal agreement to end the conflict.
