Trump Cancels Planned Iran Strike, Pledges Negotiations Begin Monday

President Donald Trump decided to cancel a planned strike on Iran and announced that negotiations with the Islamic Republic would begin the following day, marking a brief pause in the escalation of tensions in the region.

Allies Urge Pause

Trump said the decision came in part after pleas from United States allies in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, who urged a restraint of military action against Iran.

Trump's Remarks

Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump noted that 'the Iranian side does not want to be attacked' and that they could sense the scale of the planned offensive from its formation.

Negotiation Timing

He added that the negotiations would commence on Monday afternoon, a day after the cancellation of the strike, and that the US was actively pursuing a diplomatic deal with Iran.

Lack of Details on Venue

Trump and his administration did not disclose where negotiations would take place or the specific agenda items to be discussed, leaving the timing of any substantive breakthrough uncertain.

Broader Diplomatic Context

The move arrives amid broader attempts to restart diplomatic engagement, with recent proposals calling for parties to return to negotiations to address unresolved issues that stalled past talks.