Talks to begin as Trump pauses Iran strike amid conflicting claims
US President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran will begin on Monday afternoon after he shelved a planned military strike, expressing optimism that an agreement on the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear program could be reached.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said discussions involving Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Iran led him to cancel what he described as a "massive attack" that had been planned for Friday.
"We were asked by the three primary groups. We were also asked by Iran very strongly," Trump said, adding that Tehran had indicated it wanted to reach a deal.
According to Trump, Gulf countries also urged Washington to avoid military action, saying a diplomatic solution appeared close.
He said there was no deadline for reaching an agreement but stressed that the United States remained prepared to use military force if negotiations failed.
"We're ready to go anytime we want. Would I rather make a deal? I'm not looking to kill people because people die, a lot of people die, and we don't want that," Trump said.
He added that the canceled operation would have been "disastrous" for Iran and claimed it would have taken the country many years to recover.
Gulf diplomacy shapes US decision
Reports indicated that Trump's decision followed intensive diplomatic efforts by Gulf allies seeking to prevent a wider regional conflict.
According to Axios, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged de-escalation during a phone call with the US president and sought greater clarity on Washington's strategy toward Iran.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Gulf states have become increasingly concerned about the absence of a clear US strategy as Iranian retaliatory attacks continue to affect the region.
While Saudi Arabia reportedly pushed for diplomacy, the United Arab Emirates is said to have encouraged a firmer US military response in recent days. Despite differing approaches among Gulf allies, Israeli officials reportedly believe Trump currently favors a negotiated settlement to avoid the costs of a broader regional war.
Iran rejects Trump's account
Iranian officials rejected Trump's claims that Tehran had requested a halt to US military action and denied reports that an agreement had been reached to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Military officials, quoted by Mehr News Agency, described Trump's remarks as "another lie" and said Iranian armed forces remained at the "highest level of readiness."
"If confrontation becomes inevitable, the battlefield will be decisive," the officials said.
A source close to Iran's negotiating team also denied reports that an agreement had been reached regarding the strategic waterway, while an informed military source told Fars News Agency that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed as long as the United States continued what it described as hostile actions.
According to the source, vessels would only be permitted to pass through designated routes with authorization from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The conflicting statements underscore continuing uncertainty over the status of any potential agreement, despite Trump's announcement that negotiations are set to begin on Monday.
Source:AA
