President Donald Trump announced a delay in a planned U.S. military strike against Iran, initially set for Tuesday, after receiving requests from key Middle Eastern allies. The leaders of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates communicated with Trump, urging him to postpone the offensive, as they indicated that significant negotiations were underway and expressed optimism about reaching a satisfactory agreement.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump explained that the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had requested the hold on the attack. They assured him that the talks could lead to a deal that would be favorable to the United States and beneficial for the Middle East and beyond. The prospective agreement would prominently feature a provision to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Despite this diplomatic pause, Trump emphasized that the United States remains ready to engage militarily if the negotiations fail. He instructed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and General Daniel Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to keep the military prepared for a potential large-scale assault on Iran at short notice should a deal not materialize. This readiness reflects Trump’s approach to maintaining pressure on Iran while giving diplomacy a chance to succeed.
The announcement follows a report that Iran had submitted a revised proposal to the United States through Pakistani intermediaries. However, U.S. officials deemed the proposal insufficient and lacking meaningful concessions. A senior U.S. official suggested that without a shift in Iran’s stance on its nuclear program, the situation might escalate to military conflict, highlighting the urgency and gravity of the negotiations.
Earlier in the day, Iran had reportedly sent a 14-point revised proposal through Pakistan to the United States, aiming to address the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. While the proposal showed some adjustments, it was not enough to satisfy U.S. demands, leaving the path forward uncertain as the U.S. holds its military plans in abeyance, pending the outcome of diplomatic efforts.