US President Donald Trump has said Washington has no immediate plans to launch further strikes on Iran, playing down speculation that the United States could escalate its conflict with Tehran following the midterm elections.

In a six-minute telephone interview with the Financial Times on Tuesday, Trump said the US was satisfied with the current situation but remained prepared for further military action if necessary.

“We seem to be getting everything we want,” Trump said.

Asked about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's indications that an 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.”

The remarks came as Americans voted in congressional midterm elections, with inflation and rising fuel prices emerging as major concerns for voters. Fuel prices have surged following the US decision to go to war with Iran.

The US launched air strikes on Iran on Monday, targeting sites on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. Washington described the operation as a defensive measure to protect American military assets in the Middle East.

Trump claimed that more oil was now passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global crude supplies, than before the war. He also said a US blockade of Iranian ports was successfully putting pressure on Tehran's economy.

“It's a brilliant situation,” he told the FT.

Trump also played down the scale of the conflict, saying the US was not “really” at war with Iran. He cited earlier US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, including attacks involving B-2 bombers under the military operation known as Epic Fury.

“I don't consider that we're in war like Ukraine, wars like World War I, World War II,” he said.

On the possibility of further military action, Trump declined to disclose any plans but confirmed that indirect negotiations with Iran were continuing over its stockpile of enriched uranium.

He referred to the material as “nuclear dust” and said he was dissatisfied that it remained in Iran, despite being buried under hundreds of tonnes of rock.

Oil prices have fallen in recent days amid hopes of progress in US-Iran negotiations. Brent crude dropped by more than $10 a barrel to around $104, although average petrol prices in the US reached a new high under any previous administration on Tuesday.

The interview also reflected Trump's confidence about the Republican Party's prospects in the midterm elections, despite opinion polls indicating potential gains for Democrats, who were seeking control of both chambers of Congress.

Trump dismissed concerns about the Republicans' electoral position, praising the turnout at his campaign rallies.

“Every one of [his election rallies] was a home run,” he told the FT, claiming that thousands of supporters had been unable to enter packed venues.

His optimism came after a final campaign speech on Monday in which he highlighted his renovation work on the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool.

The outcome of the midterm elections could also influence Washington's approach to Iran, with Trump's position on the conflict potentially changing if Republican electoral prospects prove weaker than expected.

Trump also expressed optimism about diplomatic efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, saying both sides appeared ready to reach an agreement.

“I think they're both at the point of saying, ‘Let's make a deal,’” he said.

However, Ukrainian negotiators have not shared the same optimism about progress in the peace talks.