Andrea Innocenti US President Donald Trump used his platform on Truth Social to assert that the war against Iran is nearly over on the military front. In a White House press conference, he declared that "militarily, Iran is virtually finished" and that "we don't need a deal with Tehran."
At the same time, he clarified that J.D. Vance, the anti-corruption adviser, would no longer be involved in the peace talks, raising doubts about the future of the diplomatic negotiations.
Meeting with Qatar and the role of JD Vance
That same day, Trump hosted Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani , Prime Minister of Qatar, calling him a “key mediator” in the Middle East dispute.
Trump described the discussion as "excellent" and emphasized that the Gulf countries—Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Kuwait—preferred maintaining the status quo over further military action. J.D. Vance attended the meeting, but according to Trump, his role would be limited to the fight against corruption, not talks with Tehran.
Iranian reaction and prospects for negotiations
On the Tehran side, authorities have rejected Washington's claims. Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei called the US statements "a desperate gambler's fantasy," urging an end to the spread of "fake news" about the alleged talks. Iran's top negotiator, Mahammad Bagher Ghalibaf , also accused the United States of following an "Israel First" logic, warning that prolonged involvement could lead to a "dark era." Meanwhile, Supreme Secretary Mojtaba Khamenei has signaled his willingness to negotiate, provided the United States respects Iran's seven conditions, including an end to all military attacks.
Possible meetings in Doha
According to Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin, Qatar is expected to host a meeting between JD Vance and Mohsen Rezaei next week, considered a "decisive opportunity" to advance the talks. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denied the existence of such talks, reiterating that Tehran will not begin negotiations until Washington accepts Tehran's demands.
Economic and military implications
Trump's remarks had an immediate impact on the markets: Brent crude oil futures fell to around $92 a barrel, fueled by expectations of a possible de-escalation. Despite Trump's words of "ready defense"—"if we need to return to action, we are ready, with weapons loaded"—Iranian authorities continue to report attacks unacknowledged by the United States, including missile attacks against the island of Qeshm in the Strait of Hormuz. The situation remains volatile, with the possibility of further air or naval operations, while regional powers are closely monitoring the conflict's evolution.