Trump claims Gulf leaders requested he hold off on striking Iran, originally 'planned' for Tuesday

In a dramatic turn of events, former President Donald Trump announced Monday that leaders from key Gulf nations – the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia – had personally contacted him, urging him to postpone a planned military strike against Iran. Trump, who had reportedly been preparing to order the attack for Tuesday, revealed on his Truth Social platform that he has now instructed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and the Joint Chiefs of Staff to stand down.

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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.

Trump framed this decision as a gesture of respect for these "Great Leaders and Allies," emphasizing that "Serious negotiations are now taking place." He expressed optimism that a deal would be reached, one that would be "very acceptable to the United States of America, as well as all Countries in the Middle East, and beyond," crucially including a provision for "NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR IRAN!"

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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.

However, the de-escalation is conditional. Trump also made it clear that he has "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." This statement highlights the delicate balance of diplomacy and deterrence that characterized his previous presidency and continues to shape regional dynamics.

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This Deal will include, importantly, NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR IRAN!

From the perspective of Middle Eastern nations, particularly those directly bordering Iran, this news carries immense weight. While Western coverage might focus on Trump's personal involvement and the potential for a diplomatic breakthrough, for countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, this is about immediate security concerns and regional stability. Their reported intervention underscores a shared desire to avoid a wider conflict that could engulf the region, even as they remain deeply wary of Iran's nuclear ambitions. The fact that these leaders felt compelled to appeal directly to Trump, bypassing official channels, speaks volumes about the perceived influence he still wields and the complex web of relationships governing the region's security.

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Trump has "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."