Trump declares Iran war 'effectively over' as US keeps forces ready

President Donald Trump said Monday that the Iran war is "militarily is effectively over," adding that renewed US strikes are "highly unlikely" while the US remains "locked and loaded" if circumstances change. Trump said the US is maintaining the "status quo" at the behest of neighboring Gulf allies, who could still face Iranian aggression, and cited a naval blockade on Iranian ports as enhancing regional security. He hosted Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani for talks on negotiations. The comments follow Republican losses in last week's midterm elections, which some officials blamed on the war. Republican congressman Thomas Massie has moved to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the conflict, a move unlikely to succeed before Democrats take control of Congress in January.