Trump Says Iran War Ending 'Fairly Soon'; IDF Preparing Two Scenarios

Status: President Trump's remarks and Iranian denials are on the record; claimed overnight strikes on Qeshm have not been publicly confirmed by the United States; no agreement has been announced.

President Trump said Monday, in remarks published by CNBC on Tuesday: "We're seeing momentum toward the end of this conflict. I think it's going to be ending fairly soon." He said "Iran militarily is effectively over" and that new strikes are "quite unlikely."

CNBC reported that, in Trump's account, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait would "prefer the status quo," which involves maintaining the naval blockade and "Operation Iron Gate." Euronews, describing the same remarks, said Iron Gate is a CENTCOM task force created to block the transfer of advanced weapons, sanctioned goods, and illicit revenues across Iran's land borders and the Caspian Sea. The task force was announced Saturday.

Trump also said U.S. forces were "locked and loaded" if circumstances changed, while still describing further strikes as quite unlikely (Euronews).

Report of Vance-Rezaei talks, and the denials

Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin said Qatar would host talks next week between Vice President JD Vance and Iran's Supreme National Security Council secretary Mohsen Rezaei, Iran International reported, citing Turkiye newspaper. Kalin, speaking at a conference in Ankara, described the meeting as a possible opportunity for a breakthrough.

Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said Tuesday there were no plans for such a meeting (Iran International). Tasnim news agency, citing a senior Iranian security official, said Tehran would not hold talks with the United States until Washington took concrete steps under Iran's seven conditions. Rezaei, in remarks reported by Euronews and Iran International, told Washington to stop "manufacturing fake news about imaginary talks."

UNCONFIRMED BY THE U.S.: claimed Qeshm strikes

Iran's provincial deputy governor said on state television that the island of Qeshm, in the Strait of Hormuz, was targeted overnight Sunday into Monday, Euronews reported. The United States has not publicly confirmed those reports. Treat the claim as unconfirmed unless Washington or independent verification is published.

IDF preparations (Jerusalem Post)

The Jerusalem Post, citing Israeli officials, reports that the IDF is preparing for two scenarios: a broad U.S. offensive against Iranian national infrastructure and military facilities, or a surprise Iranian attack on U.S. interests and bases in the region, including bases in Israel that host U.S. personnel and aircraft.

Iranian state media: a new "missile city"

Iranian state media on Tuesday released footage of what they described as a new underground IRGC "missile city." Iran International reported that armed forces chief Ali Abdollahi and IRGC Aerospace Force commander Majid Mousavi toured the complex in video released by Iranian outlets, including Tasnim. Authorities did not disclose the location or when the visit took place. The existence, size, and contents of the site have not been independently verified. Abdollahi, in remarks reported by Iran International, said: "If the enemy makes another move against us, our response will extend beyond the region." The footage was released a day after Trump said Iran was militarily "effectively over."

Related

• FT: Netanyahu Presses Trump Almost Daily to Resume Iran Strikes
• Report: Gulf Mediators Float Iran Nuclear Framework; Trump Keeps Strikes on the Table
• U.S. Officials: Limited 'Defensive' Strikes Hit Iranian Missiles on Qeshm Island
• Massie Forces Privileged House Vote on Hegseth Impeachment Articles Over Iran War