United States President Donald Trump says a planned military strike on Iran has been put on hold following renewed peace negotiations involving Gulf leaders and mediators from Pakistan.
Trump disclosed on Monday that there is now a “very good chance” Washington and Tehran could reach an agreement aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
The US president said leaders from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates urged him to suspend a military operation reportedly scheduled for Tuesday as diplomatic efforts intensify.
According to Trump, he directed Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and senior military officials to halt the planned strike, while ordering the US military to remain prepared in case negotiations collapse.
The latest development comes after reports that Iran submitted a revised 14-point peace proposal to Washington through Pakistani mediators.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran’s demands include the release of frozen Iranian assets abroad and the removal of sanctions imposed by the United States.
The proposal is also believed to include calls for an end to military attacks involving Iran and its regional allies, as well as discussions around maritime access in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
One of the major sticking points in the negotiations remains Iran’s uranium enrichment programme.
Washington is pushing for Tehran to surrender its stockpile of enriched uranium and suspend enrichment activities for up to 20 years, while Iran insists it has the right to maintain a peaceful nuclear programme.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently described the negotiations as being at a “deadlock” over the uranium issue, though discussions are expected to continue.
Tensions in the Gulf have also increased following reported drone attacks in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, raising fears of a fresh military escalation despite the ongoing ceasefire.
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