What happened
President Donald Trump said during a nearly 20-minute phone interview with CNN anchor Jim Sciutto that it is highly unlikely he will wage war against Iran again. He repeated the assessment five times, according to the report.
Trump said progress has been made in ongoing negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. He added that military action would depend on whether Iran signs what he described as a very strong agreement.
The president characterized Iran as a failing nation and cited inflation figures. He said the United States has already hit Iran hard militarily, reducing its missile capacity to 10 percent and its drone capabilities to 15 percent, while also destroying its air defenses.
Trump acknowledged that the war was partly responsible for Republican losses in last week's midterm elections, telling CNN it is largely true. Vice President JD Vance had previously blamed the Iran war for what he called a blue tsunami that helped Democrats flip seats in the House and Senate and win governorships in deep-red states.
The remarks came hours after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned the United States to accept Tehran's latest offer to end the war or face military escalation. Araghchi cited the midterm results in a post on X, saying American voters had made their choice.
Trump said the United States maintains three aircraft carriers in the region and has identified potential infrastructure targets, including power plants and bridges, though he said he would prefer not to destroy Iranian infrastructure. The administration has also launched a task force called Iron Gate to block Tehran from moving advanced weapons, sanctioned materials, and illicit revenue by land.
