Trump Cancels Military Strike on Iran, Claims Gulf States Persuaded Him
WASHINGTON – U.S. President Donald Trump said he cancelled plans for a military strike against Iran after receiving direct pleas from the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This marks another instance in which Trump issued threats only to pull back at the last moment.
Trump said the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan asked him to postpone the attack that had been scheduled to take place tomorrow.
According to Trump, the Gulf leaders view serious negotiations as ongoing at present and believe there is a broad opening to reach a peace agreement.
‘They believe a deal will be reached and can be acceptable to the United States, to all countries in the Middle East, and even to the international community,’ Trump said on his Truth Social platform.
Trump stressed that the deal must ensure that Iran does not have nuclear weapons. ‘That deal, most importantly, must ensure THERE ARE NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR IRAN!’ he wrote.
In deference to the Gulf leaders, Trump said he had ordered Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Daniel Caine, and the U.S. military to postpone the strike against Iran.
However, he stressed the U.S. military remains on full alert to carry out a major strike at any time if the agreement considered acceptable is not reached.
Trump also said Washington might accept a diplomatic solution with Iran if the US regional allies are satisfied with the terms of the agreement.
‘If they are satisfied, we are likely to be satisfied as well,’ he said. He again stressed the government’s primary condition is a total ban on Iran possessing nuclear weapons.
According to Trump, the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE asked for a two- to three-day delay because they believe the final deal is very close. Consequently, he decided to postpone the strike to give space for a diplomatic breakthrough.