Trump says Hamas ‘not causing many problems’ as focus shifts to Iran talks

US President Donald Trump has said Hamas is currently playing a limited role in regional tensions, arguing that the priority for Washington should be securing an agreement with Iran.

In remarks to Fox News, Trump said Hamas “isn’t causing a lot of problems right now” in the Gaza Strip and suggested that ongoing diplomatic efforts should be given time to develop.

The president linked broader regional stability to the outcome of negotiations between Washington and Tehran, which are currently underway in Switzerland.

“The main focus of the United States should be on reaching an agreement with Iran,” Trump said, adding that “many other issues will find their way to resolution once the Iranian issue is resolved.”

Last week, Trump also offered a relatively positive assessment of Hamas’s recent conduct, saying the group had behaved “fairly well” in recent weeks and expressing hope that a future agreement with Iran could help create conditions for a broader peace arrangement in the Middle East.

He noted that Hamas had remained comparatively restrained when measured against earlier stages of the conflict, while emphasising that efforts to disarm the group remain part of ongoing diplomatic discussions.

The remarks mark a notable shift in tone from previous statements by US officials, who have frequently identified Hamas as a central obstacle to stability in Gaza.

Trump’s comments come as negotiations continue over the future of the Gaza Strip following the ceasefire agreement that entered into force in October 2025.