He cites discussions with Qatar and other Gulf countries, reiterates Washington’s readiness to respond to any escalation while signalling that further military action currently appears unlikely
New Delhi/Washington : US President Donald Trump has said that Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Kuwait and other regional countries favour maintaining the existing US naval blockade and continuing Operation Iron Gate against Iran.
In a statement shared on his social media platform following a conversation with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister of Qatar, Trump said the discussions covered the situation surrounding Iran and the broader security environment in the Middle East.
According to Trump, the Gulf countries would prefer the continuation of the existing status quo, which he described as the US naval blockade and Operation Iron Gate. His remarks indicate that maintaining pressure on Tehran remains an important consideration in the regional approach being discussed by Washington and its Gulf partners.
The US President also reiterated his administration’s position that Iran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons, describing the matter as non-negotiable. He presented this as a central condition in determining the future course of the ongoing confrontation with Tehran.
Trump further stated that Washington remained prepared to respond militarily if developments in the Middle East took a different turn. He described the US position as being fully prepared for any eventuality, while indicating that the possibility of fresh military action appeared unlikely at present.
The President expressed optimism about the diplomatic developments, saying that efforts to bring the conflict to an end were gaining momentum. He maintained that the United States would continue to safeguard its strategic interests throughout the process and ensure that any eventual outcome addressed its security concerns.
Gulf diplomacy and regional security in focus
Trump’s conversation with the Qatari Prime Minister comes amid continuing diplomatic efforts to address the confrontation involving the United States, Israel and Iran. Qatar has been playing an important intermediary role in efforts to facilitate dialogue and explore possibilities for ending hostilities.
The US President also claimed that Israel and other Middle Eastern countries were protected against threats from Iran. He expressed confidence that the conclusion of the military engagement would leave the United States and the wider international community in a more secure position.
However, the continuation of the naval blockade alongside diplomatic efforts highlights the complex situation facing the region. While Washington appears to be signalling a preference for maintaining the current military posture rather than immediately expanding operations, the possibility of further action has not been ruled out.
Trump’s latest remarks suggest that the US strategy is currently focused on maintaining economic and military pressure on Iran while exploring a diplomatic route to end the conflict. Preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons remains the central condition repeatedly emphasised by the American President.
The positions attributed to the Gulf countries in Trump’s statement have not, by themselves, established a jointly announced regional agreement.