US President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran has made a new proposal to end the war in the Middle East, leading him to postpone a planned military strike. In a social media post on Monday, Trump said he had been asked by leaders of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia to delay the attack, which was scheduled for Tuesday, because 'serious negotiations are now taking place'. He instructed the military to be prepared to launch a full-scale assault at short notice if talks fail.
Iran's foreign military spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, said Pakistan had shared Tehran's latest proposal with the US. However, a Pakistani source expressed pessimism, telling Reuters that both sides 'keep changing their goalposts' and time was running out. Other regional officials indicated Iran had offered concessions, including a long-term suspension of its nuclear programme, transfer of highly enriched uranium to Russia, and a phased reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The semi-official Tasnim news agency reported, without independent confirmation, that the US had agreed to waive sanctions on Iranian oil exports during negotiations. Talks have been marked by contradictory statements from all sides. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened to impose permits on internet cables passing through the Strait of Hormuz, while other officials said the waterway would remain under Iranian 'management', implying tolls on shipping—a condition Washington rejects.
Despite the ceasefire, violence has not fully ceased. Drones from Iran have targeted Gulf countries hosting US bases, including a strike that caused a fire at a nuclear power plant in the UAE. Saudi Arabia reported intercepting three drones. Analysts say the conflict is deadlocked, with both sides under pressure to end the war but unwilling to make painful concessions.
Trump, speaking at a White House event, called the development 'very positive' and said a deal seemed near that would leave Iran without nuclear weapons, which Tehran denies pursuing. 'If we can do that without bombing the hell out of them, I'd be very happy,' he said. Axios reported that Trump was expected to meet national security advisers to discuss options for resuming military action.
