Trump puts Tuesday plan to attack Iran on hold upon request from Gulf leaders

US President Donald Trump announced that he had put a planned military strike on Iran on hold after direct appeals from the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. 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.

"I have been asked to hold off on our planned military attack of the Islamic Republic of Iran," Trump wrote, adding that the proposed agreement would ensure "NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR IRAN".

Along with hopes of peace, Trump again warned of a large-scale assault if the deal failed to materialise. He said he had instructed Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs Chairman General Daniel Caine and the US military to remain fully prepared for a "full, large scale assault" if negotiations collapsed.

For months, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have faced much of the Iranian attacks, to which Tehran says it is targeting US military assets and the allies sheltering them. The fact that all three leaders reportedly approached Trump together is significant in itself. Despite differences in their own approaches over Iran, Gulf powers now appear united in trying to prevent a military rupture between Washington and Tehran.

Trump framed his decision as an act of respect towards Gulf leaders, whom he described as "Great Leaders and Allies".

Just hours after announcing that he had postponed a planned military strike to allow negotiations to move forward, US President Donald Trump on Monday said there was a “very good chance” that Washington could strike a deal with Iran to stop Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

IRAN'S REVISED 14-POINT PEACE PROPOSAL TO US

Trump's announcement also comes as Pakistan intensifies efforts to mediate between Tehran and Washington. According to news agency Reuters, Islamabad has now delivered a revised 14-point Iranian peace proposal to the US through diplomatic backchannels.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, later confirmed that Tehran's updated position had indeed been conveyed to Washington through Pakistani mediation, though he declined to disclose details publicly. Iran's Tasnim news agency reported that the latest proposal again revolves around 14 points focused on ending the war.

However, the White House believes it isn't a meaningful improvement and is insufficient, a senior US official told Axios.

IRAN REFUSES TO BUDGE ON NUCLEAR ENRICHMENT

Despite the fresh push for diplomacy, the core disputes between Washington and Tehran remain unresolved.

The US has reportedly shown limited willingness to allow Iran to continue peaceful nuclear activity under International Atomic Energy Agency supervision. But disagreements over sanctions relief, frozen Iranian assets and security guarantees in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran, for its part, has refused to compromise on uranium enrichment rights. It has demanded compensation for war damage, guarantees against future military attacks and the removal of restrictions affecting Iranian oil exports and ports.

Trump's statement suggests the White House is trying to preserve leverage while allowing diplomacy one final opportunity to succeed. Whether this becomes a genuine breakthrough or merely another temporary pause before escalation remains unclear.

DIALOGUE NOT SURRENDER, SAYS IRAN PRESIDENT PEZESHKIAN

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday said that dialogue does not amount to surrender, asserting that the Islamic Republic would enter negotiations with “dignity” and “authority” while preserving the nation’s rights.

In a post on X, Pezeshkian said Iran would under no circumstances retreat from the legal rights of its people and the country. He added that his government would continue to serve the people “with logic and with all our might” and safeguard the interests and honor of Iran.