WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has announced that Washington will pursue renewed negotiations with Iran instead of launching fresh military strikes, saying talks aimed at resolving key disputes will begin on Monday.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said his administration had decided to delay planned attacks after diplomatic efforts gathered momentum.
“They don’t want to be attacked, and now we’re moving forward through negotiations,” Trump said, adding that discussions would start Monday afternoon. He did not disclose where the talks would take place or who would participate.
Trump said any potential agreement would focus on two major issues: ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and addressing Iran’s nuclear programme.
The US president revealed that Iran, along with regional partners including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, had urged Washington to suspend military action to give diplomacy a chance.
According to Trump, the planned operation would have been the largest US military strike since World War II, but he chose to halt it after allies expressed confidence that a negotiated settlement remained possible.
He also said Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman warned that further escalation could trigger wider regional instability and humanitarian consequences.
The conflict, which intensified after US and Israeli strikes on Iran earlier this year, has seen repeated cycles of military confrontation and diplomatic engagement. Previous ceasefire efforts, including proposals linked to the Strait of Hormuz, ultimately collapsed, leading to renewed hostilities.
Meanwhile, Iranian diplomatic activity intensified ahead of the expected talks. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi held separate discussions with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir to review ongoing diplomatic initiatives.
Iranian state media also reported progress in negotiations with Oman over a proposed new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz. However, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei clarified that those discussions were separate from decisions regarding access to or control of the strategic waterway.
Despite the diplomatic push, Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen stressed that Israel would continue to act against any future Iranian efforts to advance its nuclear or ballistic missile programmes, regardless of the outcome of negotiations.
Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also discussed diplomatic, economic and military options during their recent meeting in Washington. Iran continues to deny allegations that it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons.
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