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WASHINGTON, November 10, 2026 — US President Donald Trump has said Qatar and Saudi Arabia would prefer a peaceful resolution to the conflict with Iran, while warning that American forces remain prepared to resume military strikes if he decides they are necessary. His comments point to continuing diplomatic efforts in the Gulf even as Washington maintains pressure on Tehran.
Trump made the remarks in a telephone interview with Reuters on Monday, November 9, after meeting Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. Asked about the positions of the two Gulf countries, Trump said Qatar would rather see a peaceful solution and that Saudi Arabia shared that preference. He also stressed that the United States retained the ability to launch further military action, saying American forces were ready to act whenever required.
Although his warning kept the possibility of renewed strikes on the table, Trump indicated that he was not in a hurry to restart attacks. He said he was prepared to wait and described the US naval blockade against Iran in the Strait of Hormuz as an approach he was content to maintain for the time being. His comments suggested that Washington was weighing continued economic and strategic pressure alongside diplomatic engagement.
The meeting with Qatar’s prime minister is significant because Doha has played an important intermediary role in regional diplomacy. Qatar maintains communication channels with different parties in the Middle East and has repeatedly been involved in efforts to reduce tensions and facilitate negotiations. The latest discussions came as Gulf governments seek to prevent the conflict from spreading further and threatening regional security.
Saudi Arabia also has a major stake in the outcome. A prolonged confrontation involving Iran could threaten energy infrastructure, shipping routes, investment confidence and the wider stability of the Gulf. A negotiated settlement would reduce the risk of further disruption to trade and energy markets, while limiting the possibility of attacks affecting neighbouring states.
The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the standoff. The narrow waterway is one of the world’s most important routes for oil and gas shipments, making any restrictions or military confrontation there a concern for energy-importing countries and the global economy. The US blockade, as described by Trump, represents a continuing pressure point in the dispute and could complicate efforts to restore normal maritime traffic.
Trump’s remarks did not amount to a formal announcement of a new diplomatic agreement, nor did they establish that Qatar and Saudi Arabia had issued identical public statements on the conflict. Rather, they reflected the US president’s account of their preferences following his discussions with regional leaders. The governments’ own official positions and any terms for a possible settlement would need to be assessed through their public statements and diplomatic communications.
The comments also underline the uncertainty surrounding the next phase of the conflict. Washington’s readiness to resume military action could be intended to deter Iran from further escalation, but the prospect of renewed strikes carries the risk of retaliation and a wider regional confrontation. Gulf states have strong reasons to encourage restraint, particularly given their proximity to the conflict and their exposure to disruptions in shipping and energy supplies.
For now, Trump’s position appears to combine a willingness to keep military options available with an openness to seeing whether diplomatic efforts can produce a way forward. His statement that he would wait and see where events lead leaves the immediate direction of US policy uncertain, while the continued blockade and military readiness mean that tensions remain high.
Source: Reuters, reporting by Steve Holland, November 9, 2026. Reuters report on Trump’s comments and the Qatar meeting.