President Donald Trump announced Monday that upcoming negotiations with Tehran represent Iran's final opportunity to reach an agreement before facing renewed U.S. military strikes, declaring he'd scrapped plans for what would've been "the biggest attack since World War II" at the urging of Gulf allies.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said talks will begin within the next day or two. The negotiations aim to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and establish a framework for addressing Iran's nuclear program. "The first phase is the opening of the straits. The second phase will be the denuclearization," the Republican president said. "And that will take a little while."
Gulf Allies Urge Restraint
Trump revealed he'd ordered American forces to prepare massive strikes against Iran for Sunday but reversed course after hearing from Gulf leaders including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, along with officials from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Unnamed Iranian officials also reportedly requested more time for diplomacy.
The Saudi crown prince warned during a Saturday phone call that escalation could severely impact the global economy if Tehran retaliated by targeting U.S. Gulf allies, according to a person briefed on the conversation who wasn't authorized to comment publicly. Saudi officials told the Trump administration that while the kingdom, Qatar, and the UAE can defend themselves against Iranian strikes, Kuwait remains vulnerable to attacks from Iranian-backed militias in Iraq.
"This the last chance for them to sign a good document," Trump told reporters, making clear his patience with Tehran is wearing thin.
Pattern of Threats and Pullbacks
The president's announcement continues a pattern that's emerged since U.S. and Israeli strikes began five months ago. In early April, Washington and Tehran agreed to a two-week ceasefire less than two hours before Trump's deadline for capitulation, which threatened attacks on bridges and power plants he said would mean "a whole civilization will die." Two months ago, Trump held off on another major strike, citing "serious negotiations" and crediting Gulf allies for persuading restraint. In June, he threatened to seize Iran's Kharg Island energy base before calling off strikes after claiming progress in peace negotiations.
Trump defended his approach Monday when asked about repeatedly issuing threats before backing down. He's showing patience "out of a consideration for Iranian life," he said. "I want to give them every last chance before decapitation. Hopefully, they'll come to their senses."
Domestic Political Pressure
The conflict has generated significant domestic unease as November's midterm elections approach. About two-thirds of U.S. adults say the war with Iran hasn't been worthwhile, according to polling from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research published last week. That includes the vast majority of Democrats and independents, along with roughly 37% of Republicans.
Sen. Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, criticized Trump's approach as "rather erratic" on CBS News' "Face the Nation." "At this point, he's trying to get us back to February," Kelly said.
Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy, a Republican, acknowledged on NBC's "Meet the Press" that further escalation could trigger another surge in already elevated energy prices and "a lot of inflation for the American people." Kennedy suggested tightening sanctions and targeting Iran's nuclear program rather than escalating military action might be the best approach for now. "They're all hellish choices," Kennedy said. "But for the moment I'd maintain the status quo."
Iran's Public Denials
Trump's frustration flared earlier Monday when Iran claimed its meetings with Oman focused solely on establishing a temporary safe navigation route through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil trade. He criticized Iran on social media as "unbelievably duplicitous."
"They ask for a meeting, some would say 'beg,' talks begin, with more scheduled in the immediate future, and they say, openly and proudly, that they're not having any discussions, that nothing is being talked about, and they're only dealing with Oman," Trump said.
The president insisted that whether "Iran wants to admit it or not, we are, in fact, talking" about preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Trump has maintained that November's midterm elections aren't influencing his approach to the conflict, which has rattled global markets and raised concerns about energy security worldwide.
Why This Matters:
The stakes couldn't be higher for both American national security and the global economy. Iran's nuclear ambitions pose a direct threat to regional stability and U.S. interests in the Middle East, while the Strait of Hormuz serves as a chokepoint for roughly a fifth of the world's oil supply. Any disruption there sends energy prices soaring, fueling inflation that hits American consumers at the pump and beyond. Trump's willingness to threaten overwhelming force while maintaining diplomatic channels reflects the difficult balance between deterrence and avoiding a broader regional war that could draw in Gulf allies and further destabilize energy markets. The administration's reliance on Gulf partners for counsel demonstrates the importance of regional relationships in managing Iranian aggression. With midterm elections approaching and two-thirds of Americans questioning the conflict's value, the president faces pressure to deliver results without triggering economic consequences that would harm his party's electoral prospects. Whether Iran will negotiate in good faith or simply buy time to advance its nuclear program remains the critical question.