What Drove Trump's Iran U-Turn? Inside Gulf Diplomacy That Stopped A 'Massive' Strike
What Drove Trump's Iran U-Turn? Inside Gulf Diplomacy That Stopped A 'Massive' Strike Published By, Last Updated: August 03, 2026, 08:33 IST Barely a day
What Drove Trump's Iran U-Turn? Inside Gulf Diplomacy That Stopped A 'Massive' Strike Published By, Last Updated: August 03, 2026, 08:33 IST Barely a day before announcing fresh talks, Trump had warned that the US was 'locked and loaded' for an attack with military force 'not seen since World War II'. Rapid Read US President Donald Trump has received contrasting messages from Israel and Saudi Arabia over the Iran conflict. (File Photo) US President Donald Trump’s decision to call off what he described as a “massive" attack on Iran followed a crucial weekend of Gulf diplomacy, renewed mediation over the Strait of Hormuz and growing concern that another round of strikes could widen the conflict across the region. Trump announced early on Sunday in the Middle East that the US had held off on military action. Later that day, while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, he said fresh negotiations with Iran would begin on Monday afternoon. “They knew the extent of the attack because they saw it forming," Trump said. “We’re talking to them in the form of a negotiation. It begins tomorrow afternoon." The shift came barely a day after Trump had warned on Saturday that the US was “locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II". What Prompted Trump To Hold Off? In a Truth Social post, Trump said Iran and US partners in the Middle East had asked him to “hold off" because the “perimeters" of a deal had been agreed. Speaking on Sunday, he said Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, along with US partners such as Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, had urged him not to proceed with the strikes.
“We were all set to go," Trump said. “The reason they asked is [that] they think there’s a deal." However, Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency denied that Tehran had requested a pause, describing Trump’s claim as “nothing but a new lie". How The Hormuz Talks Changed The Equation The Strait of Hormuz has become central to attempts to prevent further escalation. Around 20% of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes through the waterway, making any prolonged disruption a major risk to global energy supplies. According to The Wall Street Journal, Qatari mediators presented Iran with a fresh proposal on Saturday to reopen the strait. Iranian diplomats responded positively, raising hopes among mediators that a compromise could be possible. An Iranian diplomat also confirmed to the newspaper that Tehran had shown openness to a proposal, although it remained unclear whether it would ultimately accept the terms. The proposed arrangement would reportedly create new traffic patterns for ships moving through the strait, which is bordered by Iran on the northern side and Oman on the southern side. A major sticking point, however, remains unresolved. Iran had insisted that it control at least part of both shipping lanes and had also sought the ability to collect fees or tolls from vessels using the waterway. Washington has strongly opposed that demand. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that negotiations with Oman over the strait were “on track for finalisation", according to Iranian media. Regional officials cited by WSJ also said Iranian diplomats had presented new ideas linking the reopening of the strait to sanctions relief for Iranian oil. Trump later connected progress on the waterway with the possibility of wider talks. “There’s a deal on Hormuz, and there will be a deal on the nuclear," he said.
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