Trump says return to Iran war 'highly unlikely' if talks advance

US President Donald Trump said that a return to direct military conflict with Iran remains "highly unlikely" if negotiations produce an agreement on its nuclear program and maritime access through the Strait of Hormuz. "It depends on whether or not they sign a very strong agreement ... The answer is highly unlikely it’s going to be necessary," Trump told CNN, adding he would strike if he thinks it is "necessary." Trump emphasized that the American military had already inflicted severe damage during earlier engagements of the Iran war, maintaining that forces could resume strikes and "finish them off."

"We’re ready for it. I’ve got three aircraft carriers here. The other one just arrived. We have three. They’re fully locked and loaded," he said. On Iranian defensive capabilities to counter possible US attacks, Trump said that the Iranian government retains roughly 10% of its missile capacity and 15% of its drone capabilities, claiming US strikes would be "unstoppable." Turning to potential escalation scenarios, Trump asserted that US forces have identified 38 Iranian bridges that could be destroyed "in literally one hour."

However, he expressed reluctance to carry out strikes on civilian logistics networks, noting that rebuilding them would take a decade. Trump previously suggested that war in the region would conclude following the US midterm elections. Trump urges Netanyahu on Gaza peace Trump urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take steps to implement his Gaza peace plan, US media reported Sunday. The two leaders also discussed the war in Iran during a Thursday phone call, Axios reported.

Netanyahu initiated the call, which a source familiar with the matter describes as "constructive." Trump’s Gaza peace plan is a framework, unveiled in September 2025, to end the Gaza war through a ceasefire, hostage and prisoner releases, Hamas disarmament, phased Israeli withdrawal, and an internationally overseen transition to new Palestinian governance. At least 1,610 Palestinians have been killed and 5,819 others injured by Israeli fire since the ceasefire that took effect on Oct. 10, 2025, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.​​​​​​​ The agreement was reached after two years of Israel’s genocidal war, which began in October 2023, killing more than 74,000 Palestinians, injuring over 175,000, and devastating 90% of civilian infrastructure.