Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he has directed the U.S. military to hold off on a planned attack on Iran, which was scheduled for Tuesday. This decision follows appeals from the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Qatar.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Trump communicated via social media that although he has instructed the U.S. military to pause the attack, the option for a "full, large-scale" assault remains on the table if a satisfactory deal is not reached. The leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE requested that Trump delay the attack, citing ongoing negotiations that they believe might lead to a deal acceptable to both the U.S. and the Middle East.
Trump emphasized that the decision was made out of respect for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Despite these requests, Trump maintains that a significant military response could be initiated at any moment should diplomatic efforts fail.
In an interview with the New York Post, Trump stated his unwillingness to offer concessions to Iran, even after Tehran's recent submission of a peace proposal via Pakistani mediators. This proposal reportedly includes 14 points focused on negotiating an end to hostilities and building trust.
Trump insists that Iran is eager to reach an agreement, stating, "I can tell you they want to make a deal more than ever, because they know we're ... what's going to be happening soon." Trump's statements were accompanied by a social media post urging Iran to expedite their peace efforts, warning of dire consequences if they delay.
Despite the diplomatic overtures, Trump reiterated his stance in the New York Post interview that he is not currently open to any negotiations, including a previously mentioned potential 20-year pause on Iran's uranium enrichment.
Meanwhile, Axios reported that the White House finds Iran's latest proposal inadequate, as it does not present any significant advancements.