Trump Sees 'Positive Momentum' on Iran Deal After Talks With Qatar's Prime Minister

In a post on Truth Social after the meeting, Trump said a resumption of US military strikes on Iran was "quite unlikely" and that Gulf powers wanted to keep the status quo. The Qatari prime minister, who also met Vice President JD Vance, said on X that he was "grateful for the positive discussions on reaching a deal and bringing peace to the region."

The comments matter for Gulf economies and energy markets. Investors have been tracking every signal from Washington on whether the conflict will escalate again. Oil prices fell sharply on Monday after Trump's earlier remarks that he was unlikely to restart a major offensive. Brent fell about 6% to $92 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate 4% to $86, according to TipRanks' market close report.

Trump struck a firmer note in a brief phone interview with Reuters on the same day. He said Qatar and Saudi Arabia wanted a peaceful solution to the conflict, but that the United States was "ready to go anytime we want" if strikes were needed. He also said he was in no hurry to resume military action and was content with the US naval blockade against Iran in the Strait of Hormuz. "We'll see where it goes," he said. "I'm prepared."

Qatar has acted as a mediator in the conflict, and Monday's talks were the most senior Gulf contact with the White House on Iran in recent days. Neither side gave details of the terms under discussion, and no timetable for an agreement was announced. The naval blockade in Hormuz remains in place.