US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that a planned military strike against Iran has been temporarily halted. According to the president, the decision was made after the Emir of Qatar, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, and the President of the UAE requested the delay. They urged him to wait because “serious negotiations” were underway.
Trump stated that these talks are expected to result in an agreement that would prove “very acceptable” not only to the United States but also to the countries in the Middle East and beyond. A primary stipulation of this potential deal is that Iran would be forbidden from owning atomic weapons.
Citing his “respect” for the aforementioned national leaders, Trump explained that he instructed US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Daniel Caine, and the US military to stand down and cancel the planned attack. However, he simultaneously directed them to prepare for a “comprehensive attack” on Iran should an “acceptable agreement” fail to materialize.