Trump said he postponed a planned Iran strike at the request of Gulf allies as talks continue, but he left open renewed U.S. military action.
President Trump said Tuesday he delayed a planned strike on Iran after Persian Gulf allies asked for more time for diplomacy, a pause that leaves the possibility of U.S. military action still on the table if negotiations fail.
Trump told reporters at the White House that he had been “an hour away” from deciding Monday whether to order new strikes. He said Gulf states, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, urged him not to proceed because talks brokered by Pakistan were showing signs of progress.
The president said he would allow a limited window — at least two or three days — for negotiations to continue. The details of any possible agreement remain unclear, and much of the public account so far comes from statements by the governments involved.
Iran said before Trump’s comments that it had sent another amended set of terms for a potential peace deal. Tehran also said the United States, not Iran, had requested a ceasefire.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Majed al-Ansari, said Tuesday that Doha supports Pakistan’s diplomatic effort and believes the negotiations need more time. Trump said Monday that “serious negotiations” were underway and that Gulf leaders believed a deal could be acceptable to the United States and countries across the region.
The diplomatic push is unfolding against a widening conflict that has already disrupted shipping and energy markets. U.S. Central Command said American forces have redirected 88 commercial vessels since the start of a blockade of Iranian ports and ships linked to the Islamic Republic, and have disabled four vessels to ensure compliance.
At the same time, Iranian threats and attacks around the Strait of Hormuz have strained one of the world’s most important shipping routes. Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have announced a new overland logistics corridor between Sharjah and Oman to bypass the strait, though the route is expected to carry consumer and industrial goods rather than oil and gas.
The Trump administration is also pressing its allies to tighten financial pressure on Tehran. Treasury Secretary Bessent urged European nations Tuesday to move more aggressively against financing networks tied to Iran, including shell companies and shadow banking channels, calling sanctions “instruments of peace” meant to force a change in behavior.
Trump defended the war effort Tuesday, rejecting the idea that it is unpopular and saying Americans understand the argument when he frames it around preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Iran denies trying to build one, and Trump has previously said U.S.-Israeli airstrikes in June 2025 had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program.
Iranian officials warned that any renewed U.S. attack would draw a stronger response. Army spokesman Brig. Gen. Mohammad Akraminia said Iran would “open new fronts” if attacked again, without specifying what that would involve.
For now, the next test is whether the short diplomatic window Trump described produces movement on a deal. If it does not, the president’s own comments suggest the threat of new U.S. strikes remains active.
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