U.S. President Donald Trump announced negotiations with Iran will commence Monday following his decision to postpone military strikes, citing hopes for a diplomatic resolution on nuclear capabilities and the Strait of Hormuz.
President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that talks with Iran would begin Monday afternoon, stepping back from threats of military escalation made in recent days. Trump had previously announced the postponement of an imminent attack, indicating that Iran and other Middle Eastern nations had requested time to complete a deal. According to Trump's social media posts, any agreement should address the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and resolve disputes over Tehran's nuclear program. However, the U.S. president declined to specify a deadline for reaching an agreement or provide details on the negotiation's location and participants.
Trump emphasized his preference for diplomatic resolution, stating that he was not "looking to kill people because people die, a lot of people die, and we don't want that." The announcement represents another fluctuation in the ongoing conflict that began in late February, during which threats and counter-threats have repeatedly emerged without resulting in a comprehensive settlement. The dispute has escalated across multiple regions, including the Red Sea and a Mediterranean facility in Egypt.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, which handles approximately 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, has driven energy prices upward and contributed to broader inflation. Trump has defended the short-term economic costs of potential military action against Iran as necessary to prevent nuclear weapons development, though the economic pressure has created political incentives for resolving the conflict. Oil prices declined more than 4 percent in early Monday trading following the announcement.
Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi engaged in diplomatic discussions with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, with Iranian media reporting that negotiations with Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz were in advanced stages. Iranian officials stated these talks focused on establishing a new transit route through the strait, distinct from discussions about reopening it entirely. Israel's energy minister affirmed close coordination with the United States on regional developments, while warning that any Iranian attempts to advance nuclear or ballistic missile programs would prompt Israeli military action.
