President Donald Trump said he has delayed a planned U.S. military strike on Iran after requests from several influential Persian Gulf leaders, signaling a temporary shift toward diplomacy amid escalating regional tensions.
In a post on social media, Trump said leaders from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates asked him to postpone military action because negotiations involving Tehran were actively underway. According to Trump, the Gulf leaders believed a diplomatic agreement remained possible and could prevent a wider conflict in the Middle East.
Trump said the proposed framework under discussion would guarantee that Iran does not obtain nuclear weapons while also satisfying security concerns shared by countries across the region. At the same time, he emphasized that the United States remains prepared to launch a large-scale military operation if negotiations collapse or if Iran fails to cooperate.
The developments come as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to rise following Trump’s recent warning that time was running out for Iran to reach a deal. That warning reportedly followed a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during which the two leaders discussed the possibility of renewed military action against Iran and its regional activities.
Iranian state media reported that Pakistan has emerged as an intermediary between Tehran and Washington, helping facilitate indirect communication between the two sides. According to the reports, proposals have been exchanged in an attempt to ease tensions and reopen diplomatic channels. However, the same reports indicated that major disagreements remain unresolved, particularly regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
Diplomatic engagement has continued despite the heightened rhetoric. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf met Sunday with Pakistan’s interior minister in support of continued discussions aimed at reducing tensions and finding common ground between the United States and Iran.
Iran has also presented a broader proposal aimed at ending the current standoff. The plan reportedly includes lifting a U.S. naval blockade, releasing frozen Iranian assets, and recognizing Tehran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important shipping routes for global energy supplies.
However, the proposal failed to directly address limits on Iran’s nuclear activities, which remain the central issue for Washington and its allies. Trump rejected the offer, saying it did not meet core U.S. demands regarding nuclear oversight and regional security.
