President Donald Trump said a U.S. return to war with Iran is “highly unlikely” so long as negotiations make progress on Tehran’s nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz — pointing to the damage inflicted on Tehran during the monthslong conflict.
Speaking by phone to CNN’s Jim Sciutto for about 20 minutes on Sunday, Trump returned again and again — five times in all — to a single phrase: “highly unlikely.”
The Republican president’s latest remarks came against the backdrop of Democrats’ stunning victories in the U.S. midterm elections, with both Trump and Vice President JD Vance attributing Republican losses to the Iran conflict. The control of Congress gives Democrats powers to subject the Trump Administration’s policies a far greater scrutiny.
A return to war, Trump told CNN, would probably not be needed provided talks keep moving on Tehran’s nuclear program and on reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
President Donald Trump said that it is “highly unlikely” he will need to order the US back to war with Iran as long as there is progress in negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, repeating his assertion five times during an interview with CNN. https://t.co/QqYCIk3l8m
— CNN (@CNN) November 8, 2026
“It depends on whether or not they sign a very strong agreement,” Trump said, referring to Iran. “The answer is highly unlikely it’s going to be necessary. They’re a failing nation. It just came out, you saw this year, 301% inflation. Highly unlikely it will be necessary. I would if necessary, but we hit them really hard. I hit them so hard. You don’t know how hard I hit them.”
“So it’s highly unlikely I’ll have to,” he continued. “They’re withering away financially. We’ve hit them militarily. We could finish them off.”
Meanwhile, Iranian military officials have issued a series of statements underscoring their forces’ preparedness and stockpiles, while Israel’s defense minister said the campaign against Tehran remains unfinished.
Trump Weighs Further Action on Iran as Tehran Submits Nuclear Proposal Through Qatar
Iran’s Weapon Stockpiles and Retaliation Threat
According to Al Jazeera, an adviser to the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Aerospace Force said Iran has secured weapon supplies for years to come — a remark that appeared to signal efforts to maintain long-term military sustainability despite external pressure.
IRGC Brigadier-General Ali Belali said Iran’s armed forces stand ready.
“The armed forces are at the ready and if the enemy makes a mistake, Iran’s response will be devastating and severe,” Belali said in a statement on Telegram.
🗣️ Iran says its 2-day proposal remains best roadmap for restoring security in Strait of Hormuz
📌 Tehran urges US to lift naval blockade, release frozen assets and remove sanctions
🤝 Foreign Ministry says progress depends on Washington’s political will https://t.co/ZYexuT6sej
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) November 9, 2026
He said capabilities had been upgraded since the post-Ramadan War period. “As senior commanders of the armed forces have pointed out, we have upgraded our capabilities in the post-Ramadan War period,” he said. Belali described the adversary as “old and worn out” and unable to confront Iran militarily, while accusing it of trying to fracture Iranian unity. “As long as the people remain united, this very unity will be the key to our victory,” he said.
Israel Says Mission Against Iran Incomplete
Israel is not finished with Iran, Defense Minister Israel Katz said, according to AFP. Katz renewed accusations that Tehran is pursuing nuclear weapons — a claim Iran denies — and warned Hezbollah against any resumption of fighting.
“With regard to Iran, the mission is still not complete. Iran is trying to renew its efforts to obtain nuclear weapons — alongside other grave efforts that place the State of Israel in real danger,” Katz said.
US Task Force on Curbing Iranian Overland Commerce
U.S. Central Command has announced the formation of a new task force, Iran Gate, aimed at further squeezing Iran financially.
The task force seeks to curb Iran’s overland movement of advanced weapons and sanctioned materials across land borders and the Caspian Sea.
Revolutionary Guards spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi dismissed the U.S. military’s new initiative as ineffective.
“The Iron Gate plan is merely a wordplay, the Americans cannot achieve their objectives of imposing severe economic pressure to cause economic collapse in Iran through this approach,” Mohebbi told the semi-official Fars news agency.
Kiran Asim is a writer who covers the U.S., Europe, South Asia, and the Middle East. Her reports and analyses look at the geostrategic issues and contemporary developments and their economic and political implications. She also writes about society and education.
