Trump Says U.S. Will Likely Avoid New Iran Strikes as 8-Month War Hits Republicans
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Nov 9
Trump Says U.S. Will Likely Avoid New Iran Strikes as 8-Month War Hits Republicans
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Nov 9
Summary
Major new U.S. strikes on Iran are unlikely for now, Trump said after meeting Qatar's prime minister, casting current talks with Tehran as productive enough to keep the conflict on hold.
Negotiations are advancing, he said, while warning the U.S. remains "locked and loaded" if conditions change and arguing Iran is already militarily beaten.
Fresh large-scale attacks carry high risks: Iran still holds a significant stockpile, and retaliation could hit U.S. forces or regional allies and push energy prices higher again.
The shift follows heavy political damage from the 8-month war, which began with the Feb. 28 invasion, sent oil and gasoline prices soaring, and helped fuel Republican midterm losses.
Smaller operations are still continuing — including a Saturday move against Iran's overland transport routes — even as internal Republican dissent has made any broader restart harder.
As diplomatic talks pause major strikes, will Iran use this time to secretly rebuild its nuclear capabilities and strengthen global alliances?
With Iran bypassing blockades through alternative global networks, has the traditional strategy of economic and military isolation finally lost its power?
Can alternative pipelines and U.S. exports truly save global energy markets if the Strait of Hormuz remains a high-risk conflict zone?