WASHINGTON, United States | November 10, 2026 | US President Donald Trump has declared that the war with Iran is “militarily effectively over” and said Washington will hold off on launching fresh strikes for now, following talks with Qatar’s prime minister, even as the United States maintains its naval blockade and warns that military action remains an option.
Trump made the remarks Monday, November 9, after meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani at the White House. The meeting came as Qatar and other Gulf countries stepped up diplomatic efforts to prevent renewed fighting and push Washington and Tehran toward a negotiated settlement.
Trump said Iran’s military capabilities had been severely weakened, but emphasized that Washington still wanted a lasting arrangement to prevent Tehran from developing or acquiring nuclear weapons. He described the possibility of renewed attacks as unlikely if Iran agreed to a strong deal, while warning that American forces remained prepared to resume operations if circumstances changed.
Despite his announcement, Trump ruled out an immediate withdrawal of US forces. Thousands of American troops remain deployed in the region, while the US naval blockade of Iranian ports continues to restrict the country’s oil exports. Trump described the blockade as a major source of pressure on Tehran.
The diplomatic initiative gained momentum following Qatar’s intervention. Prime Minister Al-Thani, who also serves as foreign minister, had visited Tehran before traveling to Washington to meet Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Qatar has served as a key intermediary, relaying messages between Washington and Tehran and exploring possible compromises.
However, a breakthrough remains uncertain. Iran is demanding an end to the US blockade, the lifting of sanctions, access to frozen Iranian assets, compensation for war damage and an end to regional hostilities. In exchange, Tehran has proposed ending its own blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, with negotiations on its nuclear program to follow.
The Trump administration has rejected the proposal. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Iran’s conditions as unrealistic, while Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei defended the proposal as a reasonable basis for ending the conflict. Iranian security official Mohsen Rezaei also rejected US statements suggesting that negotiations were progressing, accusing Washington of promoting reports about talks that Tehran said were not taking place.
On Tuesday, November 10, Rubio told foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) in Paris that Washington would continue imposing severe economic pressure on Iran rather than resume full-scale military operations or accept Tehran’s demands. According to four diplomats cited by Reuters, Rubio said sanctions were limiting Iran’s ability to finance regional activities and allied armed groups.
Qatar’s prime minister also made an unscheduled stop at the G7 meeting following his Washington visit, expressing cautious optimism that diplomacy could still prevent another escalation.
Military tensions, however, have not completely subsided. US forces reportedly carried out strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island, targeting military-related facilities, according to Iranian sources. Attacks involving commercial vessels have also continued in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important routes for international oil shipments. The US has separately reported disabling a commercial vessel accused of attempting to breach its blockade.
The conflict began on February 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran, targeting military infrastructure and its nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities. Iran retaliated with attacks against targets across the Middle East and threatened international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to a September report by the US Congressional Research Service, an April ceasefire and a memorandum of understanding signed in June initially provided a framework for ending hostilities and pursuing a broader settlement. However, the agreement collapsed following renewed fighting and formally expired in August.
The prolonged conflict has disrupted regional security, affected international shipping and contributed to higher global fuel prices. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that US military operations had cost approximately $38 billion as of August 1, 2026, according to the Congressional Research Service.
For now, Trump’s declaration that the war is effectively over does not constitute a formal peace agreement or confirmed end to hostilities. With the naval blockade still in place, military operations continuing at a limited level and major disagreements unresolved, the prospects for a lasting settlement remain uncertain.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
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