'Nobody got hurt or killed for five months': Trump plays down Iran conflict

US President Donald Trump Saturday dismissed the ongoing military confrontation with Iran as "not a war", claiming that nobody had been hurt or killed in the five months since the conflict began, even as Washington continues to carry out strikes against Tehran and explore diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East.

"We made a lot of progress with Iran. We’re taking out more oil now than we were before the war. It’s not a war. It can’t be a war when for five months nobody was hurt, killed, or anything else. It’s not a war," Trump said.

His remarks come amid continuing military activity in the region, with the US military carrying out fresh strikes on Iranian air defence systems. Trump described the latest action as "minor" and said it involved limited targets.

Iranian state media, meanwhile, reported two explosions in the Suza area of Qeshm Island, a strategically important location near the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments.

Despite his assertion that the confrontation does not amount to a war, Washington has continued to consider military options against Iran even as diplomatic efforts gather pace.

Qatar has been mediating between the two sides, with the country's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani discussing efforts to end the crisis with Trump during a telephone conversation on Friday.

According to the Qatari ruler's media office, the discussions focused on reaching "a comprehensive agreement that ends the crisis and achieves security and stability in the region." Qatar and other Gulf countries have faced Iranian attacks during the conflict and are keen to prevent further escalation.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has held discussions with regional counterparts on a possible resumption of negotiations with Washington. Iran's proposals reportedly include reopening the Strait of Hormuz, setting a timetable for negotiations and addressing its nuclear programme.

Trump has also reiterated his claim that his administration's intervention prevented Iran from developing nuclear weapons. In a post on Truth Social, he said the security of Israel and the wider Middle East depended on the US action.

"Israel and, in fact, the entire Middle East, WOULD NOT EXIST TODAY if I did not stop Iran from having a Nuclear Weapon. Nobody wants to say that, but everybody knows it’s true!" he wrote.