Trump Says Gulf Allies Persuaded Him to Delay Strikes on Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump has delayed planned military strikes on Iran after Gulf allies—including Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed—persuaded him to hold off, citing ongoing serious negotiations with Tehran. The strikes, originally scheduled for Tuesday, have been postponed to allow for potential diplomatic breakthroughs.

In a statement on Truth Social, Trump said:

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, Gen Daniel Caine, and the United States military, that we will not be doing the scheduled attack of Iran tomorrow. This deal will include, importantly, no nuclear weapons for Iran.

While Trump framed the delay as an opportunity for negotiations to yield an acceptable agreement, he warned that the U.S. military remains on high alert for a “full, large-scale assault” if talks fail. He described the postponement as potentially indefinite or lasting “two or three days”, adding:

I put it off for a little while, hopefully maybe forever, but possibly for a little while, because we’ve had very big discussions with Iran and we’ll see what they amount to. Also, we’ve informed Israel, we’ve informed other people in the Middle East that have been involved with us, and it’s a very positive development, but we’ll see whether or not it amounts to anything.

Iran Responds with Defiance

Iranian leaders rejected Trump’s optimism, with Mohsen Rezaei, a military advisor to Iran’s supreme leader and former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, mocking the U.S. president’s decision:

The US sets a deadline for a military strike and then cancels it itself, with the vain hope of making the Iranian nation and officials surrender. The iron fist of the powerful armed forces and the great Iranian nation will force them to retreat and surrender.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian echoed this defiance, emphasizing that “dialogue does not mean surrender” in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He stated that Iran “will under no circumstances retreat from the lawful rights of the country and its people.”

Ceasefire Talks Stalled

Efforts to broker a ceasefire have stalled repeatedly, with Trump calling Iran’s response to U.S. proposals “unacceptable” and warning that “the clock is ticking.” Iran has since submitted a 14-point proposal to end the war, mediated by Pakistan, which delivered it to the U.S. However, this revised draft—based on an earlier version rejected by Washington—has done little to ease tensions.

Iran Threatens Retaliation

Iran’s military leadership has warned of severe consequences if the U.S. or its allies resume hostilities. Maj Gen Ali Abdollahi, head of Iran’s Khatam Al Anbiya Central Headquarters, stated:

We announce to America and its allies: do not commit another strategic mistake or miscalculation. They must know that any renewed aggression or invasion by the enemies of our land and our proud nation will be met with a swift, decisive, powerful and extensive response. We will defend the rights of the Iranian nation with all our strength and cut off the hand of any aggressor.

A Delicate Balance

Trump’s decision to delay strikes reflects the complex geopolitical pressures at play, balancing military readiness with diplomatic efforts. Whether these negotiations lead to a lasting resolution or merely a temporary reprieve remains uncertain. One thing is clear: the Middle East remains on edge, as both sides weigh their next moves in a crisis that has already reshaped regional stability.

This article was previously published on UAE Moments. To see the original article, click here