U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that there was "positive momentum" toward ending the U.S.-Iran conflict after meeting with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani at the White House.
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and other countries in the region favored maintaining the current U.S. naval blockade of Iran alongside the newly launched Operation Iron Gate, which seeks to restrict Iran's land-based supply routes, Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social platform.
All these countries "would prefer the status quo," Trump wrote.
Meanwhile, Trump warned that U.S. forces remain ready for further military action though the possibility of renewed military strikes on Iran is low.
"Should there be any change with respect to developments in the Middle East, the United States of America is 'locked and loaded' and ready to go," Trump said. "At this point, however, that seems to be quite unlikely."
"We are seeing positive momentum toward an end to this conflict," Trump said in the post.
On Monday, Qatari foreign minister said he had "great meeting" with Trump and U.S. Vice President JD Vance on the situation in the region and ways to progress the U.S.-Iran talks.
"Grateful for the positive discussions on reaching a deal and bringing peace to the region," the Qatari minister wrote in a post on social media platform X.
Trump says 'positive momentum' toward ending US-Iran conflict after talks with Qatari PM
A Chinese envoy on Monday called for preserving basic humanitarian protections, easing tensions and seizing a window for peace talks as the UN Security Council voiced concern over rising civilian casualties and worsening winter humanitarian risks in Ukraine.
Addressing the UN Security Council, Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said the Ukraine crisis was reaching a critical juncture for a negotiated settlement, as international calls for peace and talks grew stronger. Recent exchanges among key stakeholders had sent positive signals, he said, and China supported efforts toward peace, urging all parties to work with one another, sustain the positive momentum and advance an early political settlement.
Sun said parties to the conflict had recently expressed views on a political resolution, while the international community had made extensive diplomatic efforts to encourage peace and negotiations. Russia, Ukraine and the United States are set to hold another round of trilateral talks. The parties should demonstrate political will, maintain contact and communication, gradually build consensus and work together toward a comprehensive, lasting and binding peace agreement, he said.
"Conflict and war have no winners. All parties should learn lessons from this crisis, uphold the principle of indivisible security, take each other's legitimate security concerns seriously and address them properly, and pay particular attention to the root causes of the conflict. They should build a balanced, effective and sustainable regional security architecture," said Sun.
Sun said China's position on Ukraine was consistent and that China had always advocated peace talks and a political settlement. China has maintained close communication with Russia, Ukraine and other relevant parties and actively pursued shuttle diplomacy, working persistently to create conditions for talks and build consensus for peace.
China stands ready to continue working with the international community toward an early ceasefire, an end to hostilities, and lasting peace and stability in the region, he said.
China calls for peace talks to end Ukraine crisis
