Trump Holds Off on Planned Iran Attack at Gulf States Request

President Trump announced on Monday that he is holding off on a military attack on Iran planned for Tuesday at the request of leaders from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. He added there would be no nuclear weapons for Iran.

A ceasefire agreed in April has largely been observed despite occasional exchanges of fire. Iran has continued to control the Strait of Hormuz, closing the waterway through which around 20 percent of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas travels. Oil prices have slumped following the announcement of the delay.

Iran said it had responded to the latest United States proposal and that exchanges with Washington are continuing through Pakistani mediators. Iran's demands reportedly include an immediate end to attacks on all fronts, a halt to the naval blockade, guarantees of no further strikes, compensation for war damage, and emphasis on Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.

“We've had periods of time where we had, we thought, pretty much getting close to making a deal, and it didn't work out. He said there seemed to be a very good chance of an agreement and that he would be very happy if it could be done without bombing. Iranian state media reported that new fronts would be opened where the enemy had little experience and would be highly vulnerable.”