'Positive momentum' towards end to Iran war, Trump says

There is "positive momentum" towards an end to the Iran war, Donald Trump has said.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, the US president said America was "locked and loaded" but the need for further strikes "seems to be quite unlikely".

Mr Trump's post came as he staged a news conference at the White House on the same issue.

On Monday, Mr Trump told reporters he believes the war "militarily is effectively over" after meeting with Qatar's prime minister earlier in the day, where the two leaders discussed the US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

"Iran militarily is effectively over," Mr Trump said. "We're just keeping it the status quo."

Mr Trump added Tehran has been "decapitated" but said he is still looking to make sure there's a long-term solution to ensuring Iran's nuclear programme poses no threat.

In his Truth Social post, Mr Trump said: "Should there be any change with respect to developments in the Middle East, the United States of America is 'locked and loaded' and ready to go.

"At this point, however, that seems to be quite unlikely. Israel, and the entire Middle East, are protected from Iranian danger and threats.

"We are seeing positive momentum toward an end to this Conflict, and will ensure that America's interests are at all times protected."

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This weekend, the president offered some of his most definitive comments about moving away from his threat to resume strikes on Iran after the midterm elections rout.

Mr Trump told CNN in a phone interview on Sunday that as long as the US sees progress in negotiations with the Iranians and they sign a "strong agreement", it's "highly unlikely it's going to be necessary" to conduct strikes.

However, the president said the US had identified 38 bridges among infrastructure targets it would strike if military action resumed.

The Republicans lost both chambers of Congress to the Democrats in last week's midterm elections, which were overshadowed by voter dissatisfaction over the eight-month conflict.

It has led to a surge in fuel prices - especially affecting US consumers - but Brent crude has fallen by more than 5% in response to Mr Trump's latest remarks.

In other developments, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is gearing up to fight efforts in Congress to impeach him.

Efforts are under way in Congress to formally charge him with "high crimes and misdemeanours" - and ultimately remove him from office.

The impeachment effort is being led by Republican Representative Thomas Massie, who Mr Trump has described as a "stone-cold loser".

The president told reporters that he would stand by Mr Hegseth even if he is impeached - pointing to the US military's performance in both Iran and Venezuela.

(c) Sky News 2026: 'Positive momentum' towards end to Iran war, Trump says