Trump says U.S. has no immediate plans to strike Iran despite Netanyahu’s warnings, but insists American forces are ready to act

U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington has no immediate plans to launch another military attack against Iran, pushing back against speculation that American forces could resume strikes following the midterm elections, even as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled that further military action could come later this week.

In a six-minute telephone interview with the Financial Times on Tuesday, November 3, Trump described the current confrontation with Tehran as favorable to Washington, arguing that American military and economic pressure had already achieved significant results.

“We seem to be getting everything we want,” Trump told the newspaper.

Asked about Netanyahu’s indications that another attack could take place before the end of the week, Trump emphasized that American forces remained prepared for military action but suggested that further strikes might not be necessary.

“I’m ready, we’re ready. We’re locked and loaded if we need to go, but there may be no reason for it,” he said.

Trump characterized Washington’s position as “a brilliant situation,” citing what he described as the effectiveness of the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports and an increase in oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

The president said more oil was now passing through the strategic waterway than before the war, while American restrictions on Iranian ports were placing considerable pressure on Tehran’s economy. His assessment came amid continued disruption to regional energy markets and concerns over the economic consequences of the conflict.

The remarks followed U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island on Monday, November 2. Washington described those attacks as defensive measures intended to protect American military assets operating in the Middle East.

Despite the recent strikes, Trump sought to distinguish the current confrontation from a prolonged conventional war, arguing that previous American operations had severely damaged Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

He also confirmed that indirect negotiations with Tehran were continuing, including discussions over Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, which he referred to as “nuclear dust.”

“Even though it’s under hundreds of tons of rock, I would say that I’m not happy that it will be there,” Trump said, referring to nuclear material believed to remain buried following earlier attacks.

The president did not disclose whether the Pentagon had prepared additional strike plans or specify what circumstances might prompt him to authorize further military action.

His comments came hours before polls closed in the U.S. congressional midterm elections, which have been shaped partly by rising fuel prices and the economic consequences of the confrontation with Iran.

While Netanyahu’s remarks had raised expectations of another round of attacks, Trump’s latest statements indicated that Washington was, for now, maintaining military readiness while continuing to pursue diplomatic discussions with Tehran.