WASHINGTON/TEHRAN/JERUSALEM/RIYADH – US President Donald Trump said Sunday that renewed military strikes on Iran were "highly unlikely" as long as negotiations made progress, but did not rule out further military actions.

In a phone interview with CNN, Trump claimed that the United States had already dealt a severe blow to Iran and that further military action was "highly unlikely" to be necessary.

"It depends on whether or not they sign a very strong agreement," Trump noted, referring to Iran's nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

The president also claimed that the United States had identified potential infrastructure targets in Iran, including power plants and bridges, and could destroy 38 bridges in an hour.

"Most likely it will not be necessary," Trump reiterated. "They want to make a deal so badly."

More than eight months after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, Trump has repeatedly sent mixed signals about his willingness to end the conflict. Washington and Tehran remain at a stalemate, with little significant progress in diplomatic efforts. 

Iran's Army says ‘violating’ oil tanker hit mines

Meanwhile, the navy of Iran's Army announced Sunday that a "violating" oil tanker caught fire after hitting naval mines east of the Strait of Hormuz earlier in the day.

In a statement on the army's website, the navy said the oil tanker had turned off its identification systems and was transiting the "forbidden" region east of the strait when it hit the mines.

It warned that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed to vessels unless all threats are lifted.

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Earlier in the day, the navy of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said an oil tanker caught fire within the preceding hours after colliding with naval mines in the "unauthorized" route of the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement on the IRGC's official news outlet Sepah News, the navy said the explosion caused a massive fire on the vessel, which was the third oil tanker to hit naval mines in the strait's "unauthorized" route since the beginning of the day.

Iran tightened its grip on the strait on Feb 28, barring safe passage of vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States following their joint strikes on Iranian territory. The United States has also imposed a naval blockade against the country.

Israeli defense minister warns Iran mission ‘not complete’

In Jerusalem, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Sunday that Israel's mission against Iran is "not yet complete," reiterating allegations that Tehran is seeking to revive efforts to obtain nuclear weapons, which Iran has denied repeatedly.

Katz made the remarks at a memorial ceremony, adding that Israel "cannot accept these threats" and would act as necessary.

Israel is "more determined than ever" to "preempt threats and pursue a proactive and offensive policy against its enemies," he said.

Katz also vowed that Israeli troops would not withdraw from areas they occupy in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, warning that Hezbollah would face severe strikes if it joined Iran in an attack on Israel.

He urged Israelis to unite "ahead of the major tasks that still lie before us" when national security is at stake.

ALSO READ: Tehran says reignited conflict would benefit no one

His remarks came as opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot seeks to form a government following an election that deprived Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing bloc of its parliamentary majority.

Katz offered no evidence to support his claim on Iran. On Oct 27, International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi said the UN nuclear watchdog had detected no Iranian efforts to repair or rebuild nuclear facilities damaged in the United States and Israeli strikes in 2025 and 2026, though inspectors' limited access has prevented full verification of Iran's nuclear activities.

Iraqi delegation ‘visits Tehran, conveys US message’

Also on Sunday, an Iraqi delegation visited Tehran and held talks with Iranian officials, conveying a message from the United States during an eight-hour mission, Saudi-owned Al Hadath television reported Sunday, citing unnamed sources.

The report did not identify the members of the Iraqi delegation or the Iranian officials they met, nor did it reveal the contents of the US message.

The visit followed a phone conversation between Trump and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi last week.

READ MORE: Iran shoots down 2 US drones as Trump announces ‘minor’ strikes

According to a statement released by the Iraqi prime minister's media office, al-Zaidi and Trump discussed the regional situation during the phone conversation Thursday. Al-Zaidi affirmed Iraq's position, which calls for respecting the sovereignty of states and "for Iraqi territory not to be used as a launching point for attacks against neighboring countries," the statement read.

Both sides also stressed bilateral coordination on current challenges and efforts to support regional stability and prioritize dialogue and diplomacy in addressing crises, according to the statement.