President Donald Trump called off imminent military strikes on Iran Monday, telling allies the military stands ready to resume at a moment’s notice if peace negotiations collapse.
Trump said he had ordered the Pentagon to prepare for strikes on Tuesday but reversed course after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar asked him to hold off while new talks unfold. All three nations have served as key partners throughout the conflict that began Feb. 28.
“Serious negotiations are now taking place, and that, in their opinion, as Great Leaders and Allies, a Deal will be made, which will be very acceptable to the United States of America,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “This Deal will include, importantly, NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR IRAN!”
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei confirmed Monday that the two sides had exchanged fresh proposals through Pakistani mediators. The IRGC-affiliated outlet Tasnim reported the American proposal included a partial unfreezing of Iranian assets and a waiver on Iranian oil sanctions.
The central sticking point remains Iran’s enrichment program. Washington has insisted Tehran dismantle its uranium enrichment infrastructure as a condition of any lasting agreement. Iranian officials have repeatedly rejected that demand.
“We have always said that these claims have no basis in reality,” Baqaei said Monday.
Trump did not rule out resuming the assault. “I have ordered our military to be prepared to go forward with a full, large scale assault of Iran, on a moment’s notice, in the event that an acceptable Deal is not reached,” Trump said.
U.S. Central Command reported Monday that the ongoing naval blockade of Iranian ports has turned away 84 ships since operations began. The blockade has cut deeply into Iran’s oil revenues. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged the economic strain Monday. “We will definitely have inflation,” Pezeshkian said in a public address. “We are fighting, and we must accept the hardship that comes with it.”
Trump has maintained the short-term economic pain is acceptable if it permanently blocks Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Democrats have pushed back, arguing Trump launched an unauthorized war and calling for Congress to reassert its war powers authority.
