President Donald Trump said Sunday he decided against ordering new military strikes against Iran following input from Gulf allies Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Trump stated that a plan existed for U.S. Forces to conduct "the biggest attack since World War II" On Sunday, but he chose to abandon it and allow more time for diplomatic efforts after consulting with Gulf leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as well as at the request of unnamed Iranian officials.
"I said to the crown prince, 'What would you rather do? Would you rather us do this or not?'" Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One while returning to Washington from his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. "They said we would much prefer a deal as opposed to an attack, because you don't know where these attacks lead."
Trump and the crown prince spoke Saturday before the president announced on social media that Mideast allies had reached the "perimeters" Of a deal to end the five-month-old conflict.
The shift marked another reversal for Trump, who the previous day said he was "losing faith" In negotiations with Iran and warned the U.S. Military "will be hitting them very hard."
Trump said Sunday the emerging deal would include reopening the Strait of Hormuz, where roughly a fifth of the world's energy flowed before the war began, and would address U.S. Concerns about Iran's nuclear program. Iran has repeatedly attacked vessels transiting the strait without authorization.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Sunday the Strait of Hormuz "will in no way return to the status it was before February 28th," When the conflict started. He added that Iran is discussing shipping arrangements with Oman but currently has no talks about reopening the waterway.
Trump has announced halts to Iran strikes on several occasions since the U.S. And Israel attacked Iran on February 28, only for those plans to unravel and fighting to resume.
Iran's defense minister stated on X that the country was "neither surprised nor passive" Following Trump's announcement and said Iran remains alert to concrete U.S. Threats.
A regional official involved in mediation efforts said the proposal calls for the U.S. And Iran to return to negotiations and resume working through issues that blocked prior progress. The proposal includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz and halting regional attacks by Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, the Arabian Gulf and Jordan. The U.S. Would end its naval blockade and allow Iran to export oil under the tentative ceasefire deal reached in June.
Trump said Israel is joining his commitment to implement the ceasefire. Israel did not publicly respond to the announcement.
Prince Mohammed expressed concerns about potential escalation during Saturday's call with Trump, described as "candid and constructive." The crown prince warned that if Iran retaliated to new U.S. Bombardment by targeting Gulf allies, it could severely impact the global economy. Saudi officials also underscored that while Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar could defend against further Iranian attacks, Kuwait could be more vulnerable to strikes by Iranian-backed militias in Iraq.
Trump indicated the Saudi crown prince's input significantly influenced his decision to halt strike plans: "It would have been disastrous for them. And they didn't want us to do it. And frankly, Saudi Arabia didn't want it either. They thought that a deal is imminent."