Iranian officials have confirmed negotiations with Oman concerning the Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump on Sunday said he had agreed to hold off on launching new military strikes against Iran after being told that negotiations are under way which could lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the planned attack had been cancelled “subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL”, adding: “Get to work, everybody, and get it DONE.”
The announcement follows days of heightened tensions during which Trump had warned that the US was prepared to strike Iran “very hard” as the conflict entered its sixth month.
Why Did Trump Halt the Attacks?
In a lengthy statement posted on Truth Social, Trump said the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan urged him to delay a scheduled American attack on Iran because “serious negotiations” were now underway.
“Based on this request, I have agreed, for the future benefit of the WORLD and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL,” he wrote.
According to Trump, the proposed agreement would include “the Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat.” “The Country of Israel joins me in this commitment. Get to work, everybody, and get it DONE,” he added.
Axios reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke to Trump on Saturday and urged him not to launch further large-scale strikes against Iran.
What is Iran saying?
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Telegram that negotiations between Iran and Oman were in their final stages.
His spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, later told Iranian state television that the talks focused on a new route through the Strait of Hormuz. He said the discussions did not address whether the strait would remain open or closed and blamed the United States for the current disruption to shipping.
Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, described Trump’s announcement as a “repeated retreat from threats”.
Meanwhile, Iran’s acting defence minister, Majid Ibn al-Reza, said Tehran regarded every threat from its adversaries as “real and credible”, even if intended as psychological warfare.
“We will neither be caught off-guard nor remain passive,” he said, adding that Iran would use such threats to strengthen its military readiness and deterrence.
Iran has also warned Washington that any new attacks would be met with what it described as a “proportionate response”.
Diplomatic Efforts Continue
Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Pakistan have been urging both Washington and Tehran to return to negotiations.
Pakistani government sources told Turkey’s Anadolu news agency that Pakistani and Qatari mediators were “cautiously optimistic” that US-Iran talks could resume soon.
According to the sources, mediators were expecting “positive developments” by the end of the week.
A source familiar with the discussions told Anadolu: “Pakistani and Qatari mediators together with regional partners are in touch with Washington and Tehran for the resumption of talks after convincing Trump to hold off on fresh attacks on Iran.”
The previous ceasefire, brokered by Pakistan and Qatar in June, collapsed amid disagreements over control of the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump has said any new agreement would immediately reopen the strategic waterway. However, there has been no indication from Tehran that it has changed its position. Iran has instead said it is willing to discuss managing shipping through the strait jointly with Oman.
Concerns over US Missile Stockpiles
The reported pause also comes as questions have been raised about US supplies of Patriot missile interceptors. The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimates that US Patriot interceptor inventories have fallen from about 2,300 before the conflict to fewer than 827.
Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen told ABC News: “We have depleted our interceptors… which are, obviously, necessary to protect American troops.” “We are depleting these every day, despite the fact that we could face other potential conflicts around the world.”
US media have reported that General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has expressed concerns over declining interceptor stockpiles, although Trump has dismissed those reports.