Islamabad (Web Desk): US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he decided to cancel a planned military operation against Iran after receiving urgent requests from Gulf Arab leaders, while also cautioning that the United States was fully prepared to launch a “large-scale assault” if diplomatic talks failed.
In a message posted on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump revealed that senior leaders from the Gulf region had contacted him seeking additional time for negotiations intended to secure a nuclear agreement with Tehran. He said those leaders believed a settlement could still be achieved.
Trump stated that Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan personally appealed to him to delay “our planned Military attack, which was scheduled for tomorrow”.
“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, as well as all Countries in the Middle East, and beyond,” he added.
The US president further said the proposed agreement would ensure Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons. “Based on my respect for the above-mentioned leaders, I have instructed Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, The Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Daniel Caine, and The United States Military, that we will NOT be doing the scheduled attack of Iran tomorrow,” he announced.
“But have further instructed them 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. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Trump’s statement came as tensions in the Gulf region remained high, with diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing hostility between Washington and Tehran making little headway due to continuing disagreements over Iran’s nuclear activities and sanctions relief.
Amid this uncertain environment, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi returned home on Monday after completing a three-day visit to Tehran, where he met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Naqvi had originally been due back on Sunday but prolonged his stay to continue consultations. Before leaving Iran, he held another round of talks with Araghchi.
The intense diplomatic contacts followed Iran’s submission of a revised proposal to the United States through Pakistani intermediaries in an effort to stop the conflict from escalating. However, American media reports citing White House officials said the updated Iranian response was still considered inadequate, and that President Trump was expected to meet senior military commanders on Tuesday to determine the next steps.
Reports suggest that Iran’s latest proposals included additional assurances regarding its nuclear programme, but Tehran did not agree to surrender its uranium reserves or abandon its right to enrich uranium for peaceful civilian purposes.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed that indirect negotiations with the United States were continuing through Pakistani mediation. He stressed, however, that Tehran would not compromise on its right to enrich uranium for non-military use.
According to Reuters, Iran presented a fresh peace proposal to Washington containing terms largely similar to those previously rejected by the US, although a senior Iranian official claimed the American side had eased its stance on certain issues.
“The sides keep changing their goalposts,” a Pakistani source told Reuters, adding: “We don't have much time.” Baghaei also confirmed that Tehran's views had been “conveyed to the American side through Pakistan,” though he declined to provide further information. Washington did not immediately issue a response.
The Iranian proposal, according to the senior Iranian official, closely resembled Tehran’s earlier offer that Trump last week dismissed as “garbage.” Meanwhile, Axios reported that the White House viewed Iran’s revised proposal as insufficient and lacking meaningful progress toward an agreement.