Trump Cites "Positive Momentum" in Ending Iran War, Tehran Retorts "Surrender"

On Monday, US President Donald Trump signaled growing optimism about ending the war with Iran after meeting with Qatar's Prime Minister, despite Tehran dismissing Washington's claims of diplomatic progress.

Trump Cites "Positive Momentum" in Ending Iran War

Trump said diplomatic efforts were gaining momentum after he met at the White House with Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, a key mediator in the conflict.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump called their conversation "excellent" and said they discussed Iran extensively.

He wrote: "We are seeing positive momentum toward the end of this conflict, and will ensure that America's interests are always protected."

Truth Social

Trump said at a press conference that the conflict could end "very soon," adding that Tehran was engaging with Washington in "very polite communications."

He also said Iran's military capabilities had been effectively depleted, and the likelihood of further US strikes was "fairly low."

However, Trump warned that US forces remained ready to resume military operations if necessary. He noted that a third US aircraft carrier was heading to the Middle East, where two others are already deployed.

"I make no guarantees. But if we do need to go back in, we are locked and loaded," he said, reiterating that Iran would never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.

President Trump provided an update following his meeting with Qatar's Prime Minister on the historically successful naval blockade against Iran.

"When the military operation is over, the American people and the world will be safer."

— The White House, November 9, 2026

Iran Rejects US Claims, Top Security Official Fires Back

Meanwhile, Tehran pushed back against Washington's claims of diplomatic efforts.

Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, accused the US of fabricating reports of negotiations, writing on X that Washington was "thrashing around like a desperate gambler" and urging it to "concede."

He wrote: "It is time to surrender to the seven conditions Iran has repeatedly put forward."

The war on Iran has destroyed the US government. But Washington is thrashing around like a desperate gambler. Concede. Stop fabricating fake news about imaginary negotiations. Stop denying the new order in West Asia. It is time to surrender to the seven conditions Iran has repeatedly put forward.

— Mohsen Rezaei, November 9, 2026

Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf separately accused Israel of dragging Washington deeper into the conflict, warning that unless Washington abandons its "Israel-first" approach, the US and its allies would face a "dark era."

The Israelis are working overtime to drag America into an endless war with Iran, a quagmire no president, present or future, Republican or Democrat, can escape.
Unless Washington abandons its "Israel-first" mindset, the US and its allies will head straight into a dark era.

— Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf | MB Ghalibaf, November 9, 2026

Qatar's Prime Minister also confirmed that discussions with Trump and Vice President JD Vance focused on regional developments and advancing US-Iran negotiations, expressing hope for a deal that would restore peace.

Great to be in Washington meeting President @realDonaldTrump and Vice President @VP. We discussed regional developments and paths to advance US-Iran negotiations. Thankful for the positive discussions on reaching a deal and bringing peace to the region.

— Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, November 9, 2026

Peace Hopes Lift Wall Street, Oil Prices Fall

Fresh hopes of diplomatic progress sent oil prices sharply lower, easing market concerns over energy supply disruptions and inflation.

As of 8:50 PM ET, Dow Jones futures were up 116 points, or 0.22%, at 52,614.00; S&P 500 futures were up 6.75 points, or 0.09%, at 7,581; and Nasdaq 100 futures were down 14.5 points, or 0.05%, at 28,000.

In commodities, as of 2:50 AM BST, WTI crude was down 1.05% at $85.94 per barrel; Brent crude was down 0.78% at $91.85 per barrel. Natural gas futures were down 0.25% at $3.21 per million British thermal units.

The SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust rose 2.37% on Monday, the Invesco QQQ Trust rose 3.54%, and the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust rose 2.17%.

Meanwhile, the United States Oil Fund LP fell 3.87%, and the ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil ETF fell 5.42%.