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Trump: was hour away from Iran strike; holds attack after Gulf pleas
Developing
What we know
U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he was "an hour away" from ordering renewed strikes on Iran and that the military was "all set to go" before he postponed the planned Tuesday attack at the request of leaders from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Speaking at the White House, he said Gulf leaders called after hearing he had made the decision and asked for a few more days because they thought Tehran was being "reasonable."
In a Monday Truth Social post, Trump said he instructed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine and the U.S. military not to carry out the scheduled attack, while ordering them to be ready for a "full, large scale assault" on a moment’s notice if no acceptable deal is reached. He gave Iran a limited window — two or three days, perhaps into early next week — warning the United States may still have to give Tehran "another big hit," and said there would be no nuclear weapons for Iran.
What's confirmed
- Reuters: Trump — "I was an hour away from making the decision to go today"; may need to hit Iran again if no deal in coming days (Reuters).
- CNBC/CNN: Trump said Gulf leaders from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE asked him to hold off; "We were all set to go … It would have been happening right now" (CNBC/CNN).
- Al Jazeera: Trump paused planned Tuesday attack citing "serious negotiations"; Iran submitted a revised 14-point proposal via Pakistan (Al Jazeera).
- Anadolu Agency: Iran proposal reportedly includes end to conflicts including Lebanon, lifting of U.S. naval blockade, asset releases and compensation demands (AA).
What's still developing
- Whether diplomacy closes gaps on enriched uranium, Hormuz access and sanctions within Trump’s limited window.
- How long Washington will hold the pause before ordering renewed strikes.
- Whether Gulf mediation can produce terms Trump calls acceptable.
Sources
- Reuters — Trump says US may need to hit Iran again link
- CNBC — Trump says he was an hour away from Iran strike decision before delay link
- CNN — How Trump backed off on resuming Iran attacks — for now link
- Al Jazeera — Trump says Iran attack on ‘hold’: What we know about latest negotiations link
- Anadolu Agency — Trump says he was hour from resuming Iran strikes before postponing offensive Monday link