US President Donald Trump has kept the prospect of renewed military action against Iran firmly on the table, warning that American forces are ready to strike if necessary even as he indicated that Washington may have little immediate reason to resume major combat operations.

In separate interviews with Fox News and the Financial Times on Tuesday, Trump struck a combination of confidence and caution, suggesting that the United States was getting what it wanted from the confrontation while refusing to rule out further attacks after the US midterm elections.

"I'm not looking to ... kill lots of people," Trump told Fox News. "If we have to, we'll have to."

In an interview with the Financial Times, Trump said he was satisfied with the current stand-off with Tehran. "We seem to be getting everything we want," he was quoted as saying.

Asked about what the newspaper described as strong indications from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that another attack could take place later this week, Trump said: "I'm ready, we're ready. We're locked and loaded if we need to go, but there may be no reason for it."

His comments underline the uncertainty surrounding the eight-month-old conflict, with Washington pursuing indirect negotiations through Qatar while maintaining military pressure on Iran and preparing for the possibility that diplomacy could fail.

The remarks came as Americans voted in closely watched midterm elections in which the unpopular war and its economic consequences have become important political issues for the Trump administration.

Although Trump has repeatedly suggested that a diplomatic settlement could be within reach, he has also indicated that the military option remains available once the elections are over.

Qeshm strikes raise fresh concerns

The diplomatic efforts were complicated by limited US strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island on Monday night, targeting surface-to-air missile installations that Washington said had been used against American assets.

A US official described the operation as defensive, while another said the strikes appeared limited and did not indicate a return to large-scale combat operations.

The attacks nevertheless raised concerns in the region that the military confrontation could resume even as mediators sought to bridge differences between the two sides.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Tehran retained the right to defend itself until what he described as US military aggression had been brought to an end.

Iranian officials have also warned that any renewed American attack would invite a forceful response, potentially extending beyond the immediate region.

Netanyahu presses for renewed military action

The possibility of further Israeli involvement has added to the uncertainty, with Netanyahu reportedly urging Trump to resume military operations against Iran after the US elections.

According to a report by Axios, the two leaders held a candid telephone conversation on Saturday, during which Netanyahu pressed for fresh strikes while Trump preferred to allow negotiations to continue.

Citing American and Israeli sources, Axios reported that the Israeli prime minister was concerned about Trump's willingness to give diplomacy more time. 

The White House and Netanyahu's office did not comment on the reported conversation.

Netanyahu's position is also understood to be shared by some members of the Trump administration who believe Iran cannot be trusted to honour an agreement and that military action may be necessary to address its remaining nuclear capabilities.

Trump, however, has appeared reluctant to commit to an immediate return to large-scale operations. In an earlier interview with Axios, he said the United States was in no hurry to decide whether to resume bombing Iran.

"One way or the other, we will do something, but there is no rush," he said, adding that economic pressure had severely weakened Tehran.

The Axios report said Vice-President JD Vance and US envoy Steve Witkoff were among those favouring a diplomatic settlement, while Netanyahu and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth were pressing for renewed military action.

A third group, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, favoured maintaining economic pressure without immediately returning to war.

The competing positions highlight the divisions within Washington over how to end the conflict and whether further military action would achieve objectives that sanctions and negotiations have so far failed to deliver.

Qatar steps up mediation

Qatar has intensified diplomatic contacts in an effort to prevent the conflict from escalating.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Qatari mediators travelled to Tehran on Monday night to discuss a draft agreement that had been under consideration for the previous eight days. The proposal is aimed at establishing an understanding between Washington and Tehran that could lead to the resumption of direct negotiations.

Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said both countries were reviewing proposals put forward by mediators and that diplomatic contacts were continuing.

He said the Qatari delegation that travelled to Tehran had returned to Doha, but efforts to secure an agreement remained under way.

"There are intensive joint regional efforts underway to avoid escalation," he said, adding that Qatar remained hopeful an agreement could be reached.

"If there were no glimmer of hope, there would be no negotiations... and as a mediator, we cannot lose hope," al-Ansari said.

An official briefed on the negotiations told Reuters that responses from Washington and Tehran were expected within 36 hours. The latest efforts follow several days of discussions involving Iranian officials and Qatari mediators, after which a draft proposal was circulated for consideration.

Hormuz remains the biggest sticking point

Despite the diplomatic activity, Tehran has made clear that reopening the Strait of Hormuz will depend on Washington accepting its conditions.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters that these include lifting oil sanctions, ending the US naval blockade on Iranian ports and releasing frozen Iranian funds.

Iran has also insisted that discussions on its nuclear programme should follow the implementation of its demands rather than form part of the initial agreement.