Trump delays major strike on Iran, claims Gulf states asked for time to negotiate

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he called off a planned military strike against Iran at the request of several Gulf states, which are said to be conducting “serious negotiations” towards a deal. 

“I have been asked by the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, and the President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to hold off on our planned Military attack of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which was scheduled for tomorrow,” President Trump wrote in a statement on his Truth Social account. 

Trump further claimed that “serious negotiations are now taking place, and that, in their opinion, as Great Leaders and Allies, a Deal will be made, which will be very acceptable to the United States of America, as well as all Countries in the Middle East, and beyond.” 

Trump claimed to have instructed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to delay the “scheduled attack of Iran,” while still preparing “a full, large-scale assault of Iran, on a moment’s notice.” 

“This Deal will include, importantly, NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR IRAN!" Trump continued. "Based on my respect for the above mentioned Leaders, I have instructed Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, The Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Daniel Caine, and The United States Military, that we will NOT be doing the scheduled attack of Iran tomorrow, but have further instructed them to be prepared to go forward with a full, large scale assault of Iran, on a moment’s notice, in the event that an acceptable Deal is not reached.” 

President Trump later told reporters that the Gulf leaders told him “they think that they are getting very close to making a deal” and requested he hold off the planned Iran attack for “two or three days.” 

Trump said the United States would be satisfied if it could reach an agreement that prevents Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. 

"There seems to be a very good chance that they can work something out. If we can do that without bombing the hell out of them, I would be very happy," Trump told the reporters. 

The president also claimed to have informed Israel before making the Truth Social post. It is not clear whether Trump was referring to the Sunday evening call he made with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or to another communication. 

Netanyahu convened his small security cabinet on Sunday evening after speaking with President Trump. At the same time, the IDF Home Front Command did not increase its threat level, indicating that the military does not see an immediate escalation. 

At the same time, Israel is preparing for the possibility of a resumption of hostilities, with reports indicating that Tehran gave the U.S. a “humiliating” response to its adjusted proposal for ending the war. Reports indicate that Tehran made a few changes and no concessions in its latest response to the U.S. 

An Israeli source told Ynet News that the government assesses that Iran does not want to make any compromises, believing it is in a position of strength.

The source said that  “The Iranians are not willing to give Trump anything because they sense that he is desperate to end the war...Their agenda is to humiliate Trump and show that they have defeated the world's greatest power.” 

Publicly, Iran says it has responded to the latest U.S. amendments to the peace deal through Pakistan, but Iranian leaders indicate that significant differences remain between the two countries. 

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said that Tehran requested the lifting of sanctions, the release of frozen funds, and an end to the U.S. blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. These demands are virtually the same as the ones put forward in the last Iranian counterproposal, which President Trump called “garbage.” 

Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that Iran is open to negotiating with the U.S., but would not “surrender.” 

“Dialogue does not mean surrender,” Pezeshkian wrote on 𝕏. “The Islamic Republic of Iran enters into dialogue with dignity, authority, and the preservation of the nation's rights, and under no circumstances will it retreat from the legal rights of the people and the country. We will serve the people with logic and with all our might, to the end, and safeguard the interests and honor of Iran.” 

Another Israeli source told Ynet that Israel has to prepare for an immediate resumption of hostilities. 

“The State of Israel must prepare for a full-scale renewal of war,” the source said. “It is already more than 'fifty-fifty,' but it is not final. Will Trump manage to find a reason to postpone it at the last minute? It is possible. But it is possible that in the end he will decide on an immediate renewal of the fighting.” 

That source also said that Israel is preparing for the possibility that Trump could order the seizure of islands in the Persian Gulf, such as Kharg Island, or even an operation to seize nuclear material.