President Donald Trump announced Sunday that a planned "massive" military strike on Iran had been called off, citing appeals from several Gulf state allies and Iran itself. New talks with Tehran are scheduled to begin on Monday.
Trump stated aboard Air Force One that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud had spoken privately with him on Saturday, reassuring him that Iran was prepared to make a deal. "They thought that a deal is imminent," Trump said, adding that discussions would cover the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear program.
The Trump administration has consistently advocated for the free passage of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global trade and oil shipments, and has sought to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
"I was asked to by Saudi Arabia, by UAE, by Qatar, and by Iran," Trump told reporters when asked about the decision to stand down from the planned strike. He indicated that the U.S. military remains prepared to act if necessary, stating, "We're ready to go anytime we want."
While Trump expressed hope for a resolution, he also noted the historical difficulties in reaching agreements with Iran, referencing internal factions within the Iranian regime that have sometimes contradicted negotiation stances. He did not provide a specific deadline for the upcoming talks but affirmed the U.S.'s readiness for immediate action.