Washington, August 2 — President Trump announced on Friday that the United States will sit down with Iran for negotiations starting the very next day, marking a sudden shift from military posturing to dialogue.
Speaking to reporters en route to Andrews Air Force Base, Trump revealed the unexpected development. When asked why he scrapped the planned military strike, he explained, “It was going to be a massive strike,” but key allies — Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar — urged him to hold off. They believed a breakthrough with Tehran was within reach, both on the Strait of Hormuz and the broader nuclear standoff.
Trump also noted that Iran itself had asked Washington to call off the strike, adding, “We are now talking to them in the form of negotiations.” He confirmed, “The talks will begin tomorrow afternoon.”
As of this writing, Tehran has not yet issued an official response.
According to a report from Axios on August 1, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed had a phone conversation with Trump that day, expressing deep concern over the planned large-scale assault on Iran. The report also mentioned that Qatari mediators held separate talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi, U.S. Special Envoy Witkoff, and Omani officials, all working toward a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Araghchi, for his part, made calls on August 1 to Pakistan’s Army Chief General Munir, Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan, and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal, warning Washington against any “adventurism.”
