Trump declares Iran war 'effectively over' as US weighs next steps

US President Donald Trump declared the Iran war "effectively over" at a snap news conference, suggesting major combat operations are unlikely to resume despite speculation about renewed bombing after the midterm elections. Trump defended the eight-month-old conflict and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who faces an impeachment resolution in Congress. He said Iran suffers crippling inflation, failed military payments, and destroyed naval and air forces, while maintaining the US remains "locked and loaded." The remarks followed a White House meeting with Qatar's prime minister and came after Trump acknowledged the unpopular war cost Republicans both chambers of Congress in last week's midterms. Limited strikes in the Strait of Hormuz have occurred in recent months.