US President Donald Trump has indicated a shift towards de-escalation with Iran, stating that renewed military action is "highly unlikely" while maintaining a readiness to respond should circumstances change. In a press briefing on Monday, Trump stated that the US would keep the current situation with Iran unchanged but would remain "locked and loaded." The president's comments come after a series of midterm elections that saw Republican losses, with senior figures including Vice-President JD Vance blaming the Iran conflict for the disappointing results. Previously, Trump had authorized US forces to carry out "minor strikes" on an Iranian island in the Strait of Hormuz. However, during a 60 Minutes interview that aired on Sunday, Trump expressed doubts about further escalation. The president's comments were welcomed by Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, who held "positive discussions" with Trump and Vice-President JD Vance regarding ending the conflict and bringing peace to the region. Efforts to broker peace between Washington and Tehran have been largely indirect since the war began following joint US-Israeli strikes in February. Iranian aggression has impacted several US Gulf allies, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, leading to significant air travel disruptions in the region. Post-election recriminations over the US war in Iran have led to calls for the impeachment of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, with Republican congressman Thomas Massie requesting a vote in the House of Representatives. Despite this, Trump has backed Hegseth and dismissed the impeachment threats as a "sham." The ongoing tensions between Iran and the US continue to impact global oil prices, which dipped further after Trump's comments on Monday.