US President Donald Trump has said negotiations with Iran are scheduled to begin later today (Monday) under an established diplomatic framework, reaffirming that diplomacy remains his preferred approach to resolving tensions between the two countries.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said a planned large-scale military strike on Iran was cancelled following requests from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iran, and other regional stakeholders. He added that appeals from countries across the Middle East played a key role in the decision to halt the operation.
According to Trump, the proposed operation would have been the largest US military attack since World War II. He said he wanted to avoid further loss of life and believed negotiations offered the best path toward a peaceful resolution. The US president also noted that several American allies in the region support diplomacy instead of military action.
Trump further stated that an understanding regarding the Strait of Hormuz was already in place and expressed confidence that an agreement aimed at ending Iran’s nuclear weapons program could also be achieved. However, he warned that failure of the talks could lead to renewed tensions and further escalation.
Meanwhile, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss the regional situation and ongoing diplomatic efforts. According to the Saudi Foreign Ministry, Prince Faisal reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to promoting peace, stability, and dialogue across the region.
The Saudi foreign minister also held separate calls with the foreign ministers of Qatar and Jordan. The ministry said the discussions focused on strengthening regional coordination and adopting a unified position, while the three countries also stressed the importance of restoring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.
Separately, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said negotiations between Iran and Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz had entered their final stages. His remarks came after the United States announced it had suspended a possible military strike to allow diplomacy to continue.
At the same time, Iranian media rejected reports claiming Tehran had agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Citing informed sources, Iran’s VANA news agency said there had been no change in Iran’s policy regarding the strategically important waterway. Reports quoting sources close to Iran’s negotiating team also dismissed claims of an agreement to reopen the strait, describing them as completely false.
Also read: Trump Links Saudi Nuclear Deal to Abraham Accords
