Trump Optimistic on Iran Peace Deal After Fighting Pause; Saudi Arabia Reports Drone Attacks

U.S. President Donald Trump voiced optimism on Monday regarding the prospects for a negotiated peace deal with Iran, as both sides observed a third consecutive day without fighting. The conflict had seen a pause since Friday, following 13 nights of renewed U.S. strikes on Iran. These strikes were initiated after diplomatic efforts faltered over Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

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I have a lot of patience... We'll see what happens. I think there is a good chance that something could happen.

Trump expressed hope that renewed diplomacy could lead to an end to the war, which commenced in late February with a wave of U.S.-Israeli strikes that significantly impacted the region and the global economy. "I have a lot of patience... We'll see what happens," Trump stated aboard Air Force One. "I think there is a good chance that something could happen."

Despite Trump's assertions of ongoing talks, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei denied any direct negotiations. "Mediators may convey messages from the American side to us regarding current developments in the region. But at present, we are not engaged in any negotiations with the United States," Baqaei said.

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Mediators may convey messages from the American side to us regarding current developments in the region. But at present, we are not engaged in any negotiations with the United States.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia reported on Monday that it had intercepted several drones launched by Iran-linked groups in Iraq, which were targeting oil facilities. While no group claimed responsibility for these specific attacks, Riyadh urged Baghdad to prevent such launches from its territory. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi called for an investigation into Saudi Arabia's allegations. Pakistan, which has been involved in mediating a resolution, condemned the drone attacks as a threat to regional peace and stability. Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels also claimed responsibility for drone attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure, stating it was in response to incursions by Saudi drones, though Riyadh had not yet commented on this claim.

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We have a lot of ammunition. We have a lot of the mid-level stuff too, more than we could ever use no matter what.

In related security developments, the Israeli military reported intercepting two drones near the Jordanian border and was investigating their origin. The news of the pause in strikes between Washington and Tehran led to a rally in global stock markets and a drop in oil prices.

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pose a grave threat to peace and stability