WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 -- US President Donald Trump has claimed that the United States is not at war with Iran, arguing that the absence of casualties in recent months demonstrates that the two countries are no longer engaged in sustained military hostilities, despite continuing tensions and fresh American strikes on Iranian targets.
Trump said that nobody had been hurt or killed in the past five months, seeking to distinguish the current situation from the intense military confrontation that began in February. His remarks came amid renewed questions about Washington's military involvement in West Asia and the prospects of a negotiated settlement with Tehran.
The US President has repeatedly maintained that the confrontation with Iran should not be regarded as a conventional war because large-scale fighting has subsided. He has described the situation as a limited military conflict while insisting that Washington retains the ability to launch further strikes if necessary.
Earlier this week, Trump characterised the confrontation as a "soft war", arguing that the absence of continuous fighting distinguished it from previous American military engagements. He also maintained that diplomatic discussions with Tehran were continuing and that an agreement remained possible.
However, his assertion that the United States is not engaged in a war contrasts with reports of continuing military operations in the region, including American strikes against Iranian installations.
On Friday, Trump acknowledged that the United States had carried out another limited strike on Iran, targeting what he described as a newly constructed air-defence system. Iranian state media reported explosions near Suza on Qeshm Island, strategically located in the Strait of Hormuz.
The latest operation followed earlier American strikes in the same area, which US officials described as defensive measures. Washington has maintained that these limited operations do not necessarily signal a return to the large-scale military campaign conducted earlier in the conflict.
The confrontation began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes against Iran, targeting military installations and senior leadership figures. The attacks triggered Iranian retaliation against American forces, regional allies and infrastructure across parts of West Asia.
Although the intensity of the fighting subsequently declined, both sides continued military operations and maintained pressure through attacks, threats and restrictions affecting regional shipping.
The conflict has also imposed substantial financial costs on Washington. According to Pentagon figures reported by American media, US military operations against Iran had cost approximately $47 billion by mid-October, including expenditure on munitions, operational deployments and equipment losses.
The economic consequences have become a major domestic political concern, particularly because disruptions to energy supplies and maritime trade have contributed to higher fuel prices in the United States.
Trump's latest remarks come days after the November 3 midterm elections, in which Republicans suffered significant political setbacks amid voter concerns over living costs and the administration's handling of the Iran conflict.
The President has sought to reassure Americans that the United States is not entering another prolonged military engagement in West Asia, while maintaining that Iran must not be permitted to develop nuclear weapons.
Washington has continued to insist that any diplomatic settlement must address Tehran's nuclear programme and broader security concerns.
Iran, meanwhile, has maintained that its nuclear activities are intended for peaceful purposes and has sought relief from American military and economic pressure.
Diplomatic efforts have continued through regional intermediaries, particularly Qatar, which has been involved in facilitating discussions aimed at reducing tensions and establishing a framework for ending hostilities.
Trump has indicated that he remains open to an agreement with Tehran, although he has also warned that the United States could intensify military action if negotiations fail to produce acceptable results.
The administration's position has drawn scrutiny because its description of the confrontation as something short of war comes despite continuing strikes and the deployment of American military assets across the region.
The latest developments underscore the gap between Trump's characterisation of the conflict and the continuing military activity involving the two countries, with the prospects for a lasting settlement dependent on the outcome of diplomatic negotiations.
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Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.