U.S. President Donald Trump says he has put a planned attack on Iran on hold after Gulf leaders urged Washington to allow new negotiations more time. According to Al Jazeera, Trump said there is now a strong chance of reaching an agreement with Tehran after Iran sent a revised peace proposal through Pakistan.
The announcement comes after weeks of fragile calm following a temporary ceasefire that began on April 8. Fighting has largely eased since then, but a lasting peace agreement has remained out of reach. Washington and Tehran have continued to exchange proposals, with both sides still divided over major issues including sanctions, uranium enrichment, regional security, and control of shipping routes in the Gulf.
Trump said he had been asked by leaders from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates to delay a planned military strike because serious negotiations were underway. He said he instructed U.S. defence officials and military leaders not to proceed with the attack for now, but also warned that American forces should remain ready to act quickly if a deal is not reached.
Iran’s latest proposal has not been released publicly, but Iranian officials say Tehran is demanding the release of frozen assets and the lifting of sanctions. Iran has also previously called for compensation for damage caused by U.S. and Israeli attacks, an end to the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports, and a halt to fighting in related regional conflicts, including Lebanon.
One of the biggest sticking points remains Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile. The United States wants Iran to give up its enriched uranium and accept a long term halt on uranium enrichment. Iran has resisted those demands and has suggested that any discussion over its enriched material may be delayed until later stages of negotiations. Iranian officials have also spoken with Russia about a possible offer to store some of the material.
The Strait of Hormuz is another major source of tension. Iran has restricted shipping through the strategic waterway since early March, forcing some vessels to negotiate passage with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The strait is one of the world’s most important energy routes, carrying a major share of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies during peacetime. Washington has rejected Iran’s suggestion that ships could be charged fees or tolls for passage.
The diplomatic push is unfolding as drone incidents in the Gulf have raised fears of renewed escalation. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted three drones, while a separate drone attack reportedly struck the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the United Arab Emirates. Those incidents have added pressure to the talks and increased concern that the ceasefire could collapse if negotiations fail.
For now, the planned U.S. attack appears to be paused, not cancelled. Trump’s message suggests Washington is giving diplomacy another chance, while keeping military pressure in place. The coming days could determine whether the latest Iranian proposal moves the two sides closer to a broader agreement or whether the region returns to open conflict.
