Trump says Iran war "highly unlikely" ahead of Qatar talks as midterm fallout shakes US policy

US President Donald Trump told CNN Sunday that renewed fighting with Iran is "highly unlikely" ahead of a White House meeting Monday with Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. The meeting is Trump's first with a foreign leader since Republicans lost control of Congress in last Tuesday's midterm elections—a defeat Trump acknowledged was partly driven by voter anger over the unpopular Iran war that began with US-Israeli strikes in late February.

Trump warned his stance "depends on whether or not they sign a very strong agreement," while claiming Iran faces 301% inflation (Iran cites ~90%). Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said peace talks paused due to "shock" from US election results and claimed Trump recognizes "the vast majority of Americans are disgusted with Israel" and "sick and tired of Israel bamboozling US administrations into Forever Wars."

Outright fighting has largely subsided, but Iran continues its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—vital for global oil shipments—while the US Navy maintains a counterblockade of Iranian ports. Qatar and Pakistan have mediated for months without a definitive ceasefire. Iranian state TV reported overnight attacks on Qeshm Island in the Strait on Sunday.

For Nigeria, sustained Hormuz disruption threatens global oil prices and shipping costs. A wider conflict could spike crude prices, boosting Nigerian oil revenue short-term but raising fuel import costs and inflation. Conversely, de-escalation could stabilize prices.

With US policy in flux post-midterms and Iran's economy straining, will Qatar's mediation finally produce a durable pause, or does the blockade persist as leverage?

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/11/09/iran-war-highly-unlikely-to-resume-says-trump/