Trump Says US-Iran Talks To Begin After Planned Military Strike Is Suspended

US President Donald Trump says the United States and Iran will begin new talks on Monday after he suspended a planned military strike, citing progress toward a deal on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and addressing Iran's nuclear programme. Trump said Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, urged Washington to pursue diplomacy, while warning that the US remains ready to use force if negotiations fail. The talks come after weeks of heightened tensions that raised fears of a wider regional conflict and disruptions to global energy supplies.

US President Donald Trump has announced that fresh talks between the United States and Iran are scheduled to begin on Monday, saying he postponed a planned military strike after indications that a diplomatic agreement could be reached.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while travelling to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, Trump said discussions involving Iran and key Gulf states had created an opportunity to resolve tensions over the Strait of Hormuz and Tehran's nuclear programme.
According to Trump, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Iran all urged Washington to give diplomacy another chance rather than proceed with military action.

STRIKE CANCELLED AS DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS GAIN MOMENTUM

Trump revealed that the United States had been prepared to launch what he described as a "massive attack" on Iran before deciding to suspend the operation.
He said the decision followed assurances that negotiations were progressing toward an agreement covering two major issues: the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the dismantling of Iran's nuclear programme.
"They said they'd like to make a deal," Trump said, referring to Iranian officials.
Although he declined to set a deadline for negotiations, Trump warned that the United States remained prepared to use military force if diplomacy failed.
"We're ready to go anytime we want," he said, adding that his preference remained a peaceful solution because military conflict would result in significant loss of life.
When asked whether the cancelled operation would have targeted Iran's energy infrastructure, Trump declined to provide details.

FRAMEWORK OF A DEAL

Earlier, Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that a framework for an agreement had already been reached.
According to the US president, the proposed deal would ensure the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and eliminate what he described as Iran's nuclear threat.
He said the planned military operation had been cancelled on the condition that negotiations produce a rapid agreement.
Trump also stated that Israel supported the diplomatic effort.

WHY THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ MATTERS

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most strategically important shipping routes.
Roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies and a significant portion of liquefied natural gas exports pass through the narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf to international markets.
Any disruption to shipping through the strait can quickly drive up global energy prices and increase economic uncertainty.
Recent tensions involving Iran, Israel and the United States have raised fears that the route could be blocked or become the scene of military confrontation.

TENSIONS FOLLOW WEEKS OF CONFLICT

The renewed diplomatic push follows weeks of heightened military tensions in the Middle East.
The United States and Israel have repeatedly accused Iran of advancing its nuclear programme beyond peaceful purposes, while Tehran insists its nuclear activities remain civilian.
Recent exchanges involving missile attacks, military deployments and threats of retaliation have raised concerns about the possibility of a wider regional conflict.
Several Gulf countries have also intensified diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation, fearing that prolonged conflict would threaten regional security and global energy markets.

UNCERTAINTY REMAINS

While Trump expressed optimism that an agreement is close, neither Iran nor other governments involved have publicly confirmed the details of the proposed framework.
Analysts caution that negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme and regional security have repeatedly broken down in the past despite periods of apparent progress.
Whether Monday's talks produce a lasting agreement may determine whether the region moves toward renewed diplomacy or returns to the brink of military confrontation.