Trump Halts Iran Strikes: US President Opens Door to New Nuclear Deal

Trump – (Special Correspondent/Web Desk) – Trump halts Iran strikes and instead chooses diplomacy, saying fresh talks with Tehran will start Monday afternoon. The decision comes after weeks of rising tension between Washington and Iran over the war that began in late February.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, the US president said Iran already understood how big the planned attack would have been. He called off the strike after Iran and key US allies asked him to give negotiations one more chance.

Trump said Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar all reached out and asked him to pause. He explained that these countries believe a deal is close, especially around the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear program.

According to Trump, two separate deals are forming. One would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments. The other would deal with Iran’s nuclear activities, something the US has pushed for since the war started.

He reminded reporters that the strike he cancelled would have been the biggest attack since World War II. Trump said such an attack could set Iran’s programs back for years, maybe even make them impossible to rebuild.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also urged Trump to avoid the strike. He reportedly warned about unexpected problems, like people fleeing into neighboring countries if the situation turned worse.

Meanwhile, Iran has been busy with its own diplomacy. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke by phone with Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister and Pakistan’s army chief over the weekend. These calls focused on finding a peaceful way forward.

Iran is also working closely with Oman on a plan involving the Strait of Hormuz. Officials say those talks are in their final stage. However, Iran’s foreign ministry made clear this is a separate issue from fully reopening the strait to the public.

Last month, Iran turned down a similar plan backed by Gulf states. That proposal would have added fees for ships passing through the strait, something Tehran was not willing to accept at the time.

Not everyone is convinced peace will last. Israeli energy minister Eli Cohen said Israel and the US remain closely connected through military and intelligence sharing. He warned that Israel would still act if Iran tries to restart nuclear or missile programs, deal or no deal.

Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met earlier in the week in Washington. The two reportedly discussed multiple paths forward, including diplomacy, pressure, and force, in case talks fail.

For now, all eyes turn to Monday, when negotiations are expected to begin. Whether this leads to a lasting agreement, or just another pause in a long conflict, remains to be seen.