President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that new negotiations with Iran will begin Monday afternoon, following his decision to call off a planned military strike.
The planned military operation, which Trump described as the biggest attack since World War II, was scrapped after the U.S. president received pleas from partners in the Middle East. Speaking to reporters on board Air Force One, Trump indicated that the strikes were halted because the perimeters of a deal had been agreed.
Allied Pressure and the Scrapped Strike
Trump stated that Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, along with partners in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, urged him against conducting strikes over the weekend. The president noted that the U.S. was all set to go
, but allies believed a deal was within reach.
Donald Trump, U.S. President, explained that the reason they asked is that they believe there is a deal, noting that there is a deal on Hormuz and there will be a deal on the nuclear issue.
While Trump declined to set a specific deadline for a final agreement, he emphasized a desire to avoid casualties, stating that he is not looking to kill people because many people die and he does not want that. However, the pause in military action is fragile. During a campaign rally in Michigan, Trump warned that if diplomacy fails, the U.S. would beat the hell out of them.
The Strait of Hormuz and Energy Markets
A central point of the dispute remains the Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for 20% of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG). The market reacted immediately to Trump’s announcement of talks; Brent Crude oil fell 4.5% to $83.98 (£62.26) in Asia trading on Monday morning, while US-traded oil dropped 4.6% to $80.74 (£59.85).
Tehran’s Response and Diplomatic Friction
Iran has pushed back against the narrative that it requested the pause in military action. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei described reports that Tehran asked for negotiations as fabricated
, adding that such a request is not in our DNA
. Similarly, the semi-official Mehr news agency called Trump’s claims nothing but a new lie
.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reported that negotiations with Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz were on track for finalisation. However, Baghaei clarified that these specific talks focused on agreeing to a new route through the strait and were separate from the broader discussion of whether the strait is open or closed.
Military Realities and Regional Instability
The diplomatic push follows a bombing campaign by the U.S. against Iran. Reports indicate the U.S. suspended this campaign on Saturday after military commanders advised that the operation had reached the limits of what air strikes could achieve. General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, reportedly raised concerns regarding the depletion of air munitions.
The broader region remains volatile. On Monday, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Iraq reported drone attacks. Specifically, Saudi Arabia intercepted drones targeting petroleum facilities in Riyadh, accusing Iran-backed groups in Iraq. Simultaneously, the Houthi movement in Yemen claimed responsibility for an attack on Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline.
The Path to a Final Agreement
The upcoming talks involve officials, with Trump noting that individuals such as JD Vance and Marco Rubio are involved.
Energy Minister Eli Cohen confirmed close security coordination with the U.S. but warned that Israel would strike if Iran attempts to renew its nuclear program or advance ballistic missile industries, regardless of any external commitments.
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