Trump says renewed US strikes on Iran 'highly unlikely' if Tehran reaches deal

• He says any agreement must be “very strong” but warns that US forces remain ready to resume military operations.
• Trump claims the US could destroy 38 Iranian bridges within an hour, and that Iran retains only 10% of its missile capacity and 15% of its drone capabilities.
• He says a new military campaign will most likely not be necessary because Iran is eager to reach a deal.
• The remarks come amid ongoing US-Iran negotiations mediated by Qatar, with disagreements over the nuclear issue, sanctions and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that renewed American strikes on Iran are “highly unlikely” if Tehran makes progress toward a nuclear agreement and agrees to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while warning that US forces remain prepared to resume military operations if negotiations fail.

In an interview with CNN, Trump said the possibility of further strikes would depend on whether Iran signed what he described as a “very strong agreement.” Although he said he would authorize additional attacks if necessary, he argued that the US had already inflicted significant damage on Iran's military capabilities.

“I would if necessary, but we hit them really hard,” Trump said, adding that American forces remained on high alert. “I've got three aircraft carriers here. They're fully locked and loaded.”

Trump also made a series of claims about the extent of damage inflicted on Iran during the conflict, saying Washington could destroy 38 Iranian bridges within an hour. He further claimed that Iran had been left with just 10% of its missile capacity and 15% of its drone capabilities. He did not provide evidence for those figures.

Despite the warnings, Trump expressed confidence that a diplomatic agreement could be reached, saying, “Most likely it will not be necessary. They want to make a deal so badly.”

Diplomatic efforts continue amid renewed military escalation

The remarks come as Washington and Tehran continue exchanging proposals through Qatari mediation, despite growing tensions over the Strait of Hormuz and the possibility of renewed fighting.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has outlined a revised two-day proposal under which the United States would first meet Tehran's conditions, including lifting its naval blockade of Iranian ports and easing sanctions, before Iran reopens the Strait of Hormuz and shipping resumes. Broader nuclear negotiations would follow.

A separate proposal reportedly being discussed through Qatar would link the reopening of the waterway to renewed access for International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to Iran's damaged nuclear facilities, alongside steps by Washington to ease economic pressure on Tehran.

However, no agreement has been reached, and disagreements remain over the sequencing of concessions, Iran's enriched uranium stockpile and the lifting of US restrictions.

Tensions have also continued at sea. On Sunday, the US military said it had disabled a commercial vessel in the Gulf of Oman after it allegedly attempted to breach the American naval blockade. Iran's Revolutionary Guard, meanwhile, reported attacks on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, further underscoring the risks to shipping through the strategic waterway.

Trump's latest comments therefore leave open the possibility of a diplomatic breakthrough while maintaining the threat of further military action if negotiations fail.

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