US President Donald Trump told Reuters in a brief phone interview on Monday that Qatar and Saudi Arabia are eager for a peaceful solution to the Iran conflict, but the US is ready to resume military strikes if necessary.
Trump, who met Qatar's prime minister earlier on Monday, said "Qatar would rather see a peaceful solution" and "Saudi Arabia would rather see a peaceful solution," but "we're ready to go anytime we want" with strikes.
Trump, though, signaled he was in no rush to resume strikes, saying he was content with the US naval blockade against Iran in the Strait of Hormuz.
"We'll see where it goes," he said in a brief phone interview. "I'm prepared."
In a Truth Social post, Trump said he "had an excellent conversation with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani."
"Most importantly, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and others, would prefer the status quo, in other words, a continuation of the Greatest Naval Blockade in History, and the new Operation Iron Gate — Therefore, Land and Sea. All have agreed that Iran cannot have a Nuclear Weapon — That is non-negotiable!" he continued.
The US president added that at this point, Israel and the Middle East are protected from "Iranian danger and threats."
Qatar PM says discussions with Trump, Vance were positive
Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said following the meeting that discussions with Trump and Vance were positive. "Grateful for the positive discussions on reaching a deal and bringing peace to the region," he said in a post on X/Twitter.
Iran's top security official says US should stop manufacturing 'fake news about imaginary talks'
In response, Iranian security council chief Mohsen Rezaei said in a post on X on Monday that the US should "stop manufacturing fake news about imaginary talks" and that it was "time to surrender to the seven conditions Iran has repeatedly set out."
"The war on Iran has already wrecked the US government," he said. "But Washington flails like a desperate gambler. FOLD YOUR HAND."
He also said it was time to "stop denying the West Asian NEW ORDER."
Rezaei had alleged late last month that Iran was debating whether to maintain its longstanding ban on nuclear weapons in the event that US hostilities resume, adding that the nuclear issue can only be discussed once the US meets Iran's demands.