Trump: Military action against Iran doesn't seem necessary - NHKニュース

US President Donald Trump says there appears to be little need for military action against Iran at this point, while stressing that the US remains fully prepared to respond to any change in circumstances.

Trump spoke to reporters at the White House after meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani in Washington on Monday.

The United States and Iran have maintained indirect contact through Qatar, which has acted as a mediator.

Trump said he had "an excellent conversation" with the Qatari prime minister about Iran. He stated that the most important point was that Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and others prefer the status quo, or "a continuation of the greatest naval blockade in the history." He added that the newly imposed military operation referred to as Iron Gate has "a total lockdown" on land and sea.

Trump noted everyone agrees that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and this is non-negotiable. He said that if there are any changes to developments in the Middle East, the US is "locked and loaded with the best equipment ever made," but he does not think there will be "any reason to use it."

He concluded: "We're seeing momentum toward the end of this conflict. I think it's going to be ending fairly soon."

The US is reportedly demanding discussions about Iran's nuclear development, while Iran wants its assets unfrozen and the naval blockade lifted before talks can proceed.

News site Axios has quoted sources as saying that Qatar has proposed a two-day confidence-building plan involving both the US and Iran. Under the proposal, the US would lift the naval blockade and release some of Iran's frozen funds on the first day. In return, Iran would issue an official invitation to the International Atomic Energy Agency to send inspectors to its nuclear facilities. Axios says on the second day, the Strait of Hormuz would reopen and then nuclear talks would resume.