Trump urged to maintain 'status quo' with Iran, U.S. remains 'locked and loaded'

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(The Center Square) – Following an Oval Office meeting Monday with the Qatari prime minister, President Donald Trump said Gulf partners are urging him to keep the status quo with Iran, though he warned the U.S. remains “lock and loaded.”

The president said Iranian Gulf neighbors, including Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, would “prefer” the U.S. continue the naval blockade and now a land blockade, known as Operation Iron Gate, which was announced over the weekend.

The Pentagon estimates that Operation Epic Fury, which began with joint U.S./Israeli strikes against Iran on Feb. 28 of this year, has cost at least $33.4 billion.

Despite continuing the status quo, the president warned the Islamic Republic that the U.S. is prepared to resume military operations.

During an impromptu press conference Monday afternoon, Trump emphasized that the military has more assets, including an additional aircraft carrier in the region.

The president underscored that it is non-negotiable that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon; he maintains that Iran wants to make a deal.

“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. At this point, however, that seems to be quite unlikely,” the president posted on Truth Social. “Israel, and the entire Middle East, are protected from Iranian danger and threats. We are seeing positive momentum toward an end to this conflict, and will ensure that America’s interests are at all times protected. At the conclusion of this military engagement, the American people, and the world, will be far safer and more secure.”

The U.S.- Iran conflict has been virtually at a standstill since the summer.  

The Trump administration estimates the complete naval blockade on Iranian ports is costing the Islamic Republic’s economy between $400 million and $500 million a day in economic losses, as the country cannot export oil.