Trump Halts Planned Strikes on Iran Amid Gulf-Led Negotiations Over the Strait of Hormuz

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he would not order new strikes against Iran after urging from Gulf allies—including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Trump told reporters on Air Force One that he had asked Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman whether the United States should proceed, and the leaders said they preferred a negotiated settlement.

ABC7 New YorkAssociated Press

The conflict that began on February 28, according to Iranian officials, has centered on control of the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which roughly one-fifth of global oil and natural-gas shipments moved before hostilities erupted. Iran has repeatedly attacked vessels it deems unauthorized, while the United States has maintained a naval blockade to pressure Tehran over its nuclear program.

Reuters

• Approximately 20 % of worldwide oil and gas trade passed through the Strait of Hormuz before the war.

Associated Press

• President Trump said the decision was driven by Gulf leaders’ preference for a deal, warning that an attack “would have been disastrous” for the region.

ABC7 New York

• Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman warned that escalation could severely damage the global economy and said a deal was “imminent.”

ABC7 New York

• Iran’s Defense Minister posted on X that the country was “neither surprised nor passive,” emphasizing continued alertness to U.S. threats.

Associated Press

U.S. officials assert that talks with Iran are slated to resume “tomorrow afternoon” and that a framework for reopening the Strait is under discussion. A senior Iranian source told Reuters that Tehran is not currently holding talks with the United States, and the Iranian foreign ministry has publicly denied any negotiations, stating that discussions are limited to Oman. The disparity creates uncertainty about the timing and substance of any agreement.

ABC7 New York

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global energy markets; any prolonged disruption could raise oil prices and strain the world economy. Gulf states have warned that a U.S. strike could trigger retaliatory attacks on regional allies, further destabilizing trade routes.

Reuters

President Trump indicated that negotiations are expected to resume on Monday. The tentative proposal calls for the United States to lift its naval blockade, allow Iran to export oil, and for Iran to halt attacks on Gulf shipping. No final deal has been reached, and mediation efforts continue behind the scenes.

ABC7 New York

• “I said to the crown prince, ‘What would you rather do? Would you rather us do this or not?’” — President Trump

Associated Press

• “It would have been disastrous for them. And they didn’t want us to do it,” — President Trump

Associated Press

• “Iran, from the beginning, has tried to out-escalate the United States by stretching out its escalation options so that it always has something new to bring every week -- a new geography, a new type of weapon, a new type of target,” — Michael Knights

Reuters

• “They are ready for the war, and they won’t back down,” — Amir al

New York Times