Trump says he is highly unlikely to order Iran strikes if talks progress

“It depends on whether or not they sign a very strong agreement,” Trump told CNN in a phone interview. “The answer is, highly unlikely ‌it’s going to be necessary.” CNN did not specify exactly what it had asked Trump, who also said that if strikes resume, the US has identified potential infrastructure targets, including 38 bridges “that we can knock down in literally one hour.” Later on Sunday afternoon, Trump posted on Truth Social that “Task Force Iron Gate is in full force and effect” on Iran.

The campaign, first reported by Reuters on Saturday, will crack down on Tehran’s movement of advanced weapons and other sanctioned material over its land borders and through the Caspian Sea. Secretary of State Marco ⁠Rubio, widely considered another contender to succeed Trump, declined to comment on Sunday on a link between the war and the elections.

“All I can tell you is that the president of the United States identified a very real threat to this country that existed for a very long period of time, and he addressed it,” Rubio told reporters.