WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump says major new Iran strikes are unlikely if negotiations advance toward a strong agreement. His administration is also widening efforts to restrict Tehran’s weapons supplies and financing. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says a diplomatic breakthrough remains distant.

The competing signals come as Qatar’s prime minister prepares for talks in Washington on Monday, Nov. 9. Iraq says Washington is also pressing it to close most border crossings with Iran. Meanwhile, a senior Emirati official warns that the region faces prolonged uncertainty.

Trump Iran strikes kept on the table

In his Sunday interview with CNN, Trump discussed negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. “It depends on whether or not they sign a very strong agreement,” he said. He described renewed major military action as “highly unlikely,” while retaining the option to order it.

The president also claimed American forces had identified 38 bridges they could destroy within an hour. He said he preferred to avoid damaging infrastructure that would take years to rebuild. Those remarks placed a military threat alongside his stated preference for an agreement.

Trump’s comments therefore leave the next step contingent on diplomacy. They do not announce an unconditional halt to military action. American forces could respond to threats against personnel or shipping, Rubio noted separately.

Marco Rubio rejects Iran’s negotiating conditions

Rubio offered a more skeptical assessment before departing Florida for a Group of Seven foreign ministers meeting in Paris. He said talks had produced little progress and rejected expectations of an imminent breakthrough. He described some Iranian demands as “outrageous and ridiculous,” while saying Trump preferred a diplomatic solution.

Iran defended its position Monday, arguing that Washington should lift sanctions and its naval blockade before negotiations resume. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei also called for an end to hostilities across the region. Reuters reported that Tehran offered to shorten its proposed timetable for restarting talks from seven days to two.

The disagreement concerns both the concessions themselves and the order in which each side would deliver them. Iran seeks relief from military and economic pressure before substantive nuclear negotiations. Washington is seeking nuclear concessions and restored passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Task Force Iron Gate broadens U.S. pressure

CENTCOM’s Nov. 7 announcement established Task Force Iron Gate, targeting Iran’s land borders and Caspian Sea routes. The command said the team would coordinate with other federal agencies. Its targets include advanced weapons, technologies with civilian and military uses, sanctioned materials and illicit revenue.

The task force consists of approximately 20 civilian and military personnel based in Tampa, Florida. CENTCOM described it as an internal staff supporting existing government efforts. The announcement did not identify troops deployed along Iran’s borders or explain specific enforcement operations.

Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM’s commander, said closer coordination would hinder Iran’s efforts to rebuild weapons factories and replenish its military. The command presented the initiative as an extension of pressure already applied through the naval blockade. Trump said Sunday that Iron Gate was already in effect, while maritime enforcement continued.

Alternative routes complicate that effort. Stars and Stripes reported that Iran can seek military production supplies through neighboring countries and the Caspian region. The command has not detailed how the new staff will disrupt those networks or secure neighboring governments’ cooperation.

Iraq faces pressure to restrict border crossings

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said Washington had asked Baghdad to close all but two border crossings with Iran. He described the request in an interview with Al Jazeera, according to Reuters. Hussein said discussions continued and warned that widespread closures would hurt Iraq’s economy.

Baghaei responded Monday that American pressure should not disrupt Iran’s relationship with Iraq. He also dismissed the new task force as a diversion following Republican losses in the U.S. midterm elections. His remarks reflected Tehran’s resistance to the expanding pressure campaign as mediators sought a diplomatic opening.

Limited Iran strikes continue amid negotiations

The diplomatic push follows a week of limited American military action. The Associated Press reported that U.S. forces struck Iranian targets, including air defenses, at least twice during that period. American forces also disabled a commercial vessel Saturday that Washington said was attempting to breach its blockade.

Iranian state media reported another Iran strike on Qeshm Island overnight Sunday into Monday. Reuters said the United States had not commented on those reports as of Monday morning. An Iranian provincial official said vital infrastructure and services had not suffered damage.

USA Herald previously examined the Qeshm strikes and dispute over reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The latest developments show why expectations about a major offensive require careful wording. Limited attacks and blockade enforcement can continue while officials pursue negotiations over a broader settlement.

Qatar seeks agreement on the next steps

Reuters reported that Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani would meet Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Qatar has served as an intermediary, conveying proposals between Washington and Tehran. The meetings were scheduled for later Monday.

Iran’s proposed arrangement would exchange relief from the U.S. blockade, some sanctions and bombing for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Further negotiations would address its nuclear program and remaining sanctions. Washington has rejected the existing proposal, leaving mediators to negotiate the terms and sequence of reciprocal steps.

Anwar Gargash, a senior United Arab Emirates official, also expressed skepticism Monday, Reuters reported. He said a comprehensive U.S.-Iran settlement appeared difficult. He warned that the region should prepare for prolonged uncertainty rather than assume a decisive resolution or stable order.

The immediate question is whether mediators can secure reciprocal steps acceptable to both governments. Until then, Trump’s prediction remains conditional. Washington continues combining diplomacy with military and economic pressure.