Arabic version: ترامب يؤجل العمل العسكري ضد إيران مع تقدم المفاوضات
United States President Donald Trump said he postponed a planned attack on Iran after requests from the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, adding that “serious negotiations are now taking place” behind the scenes. The comments suggest renewed diplomatic efforts are under way as weeks of escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran continue. According to Al Jazeera, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian defended Tehran’s participation in talks while rejecting suggestions that the country was backing down under pressure. “Dialogue does not mean surrender,” he said, adding that Iran had entered negotiations “with dignity, authority, and the preservation of the nation’s rights”.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, hostilities continue in the region. In Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes have resulted in over 3,000 deaths since the beginning of the conflict, with reports of at least seven additional fatalities on Monday. The situation remains dire, as local sources indicate that the conflict has escalated despite a US-brokered extension of the “ceasefire”.
In response to perceived threats, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it struck groups linked to the US and Israel in the western province of Kurdistan, near the border with Iraq. They accused these groups of attempting to smuggle a large shipment of American weapons and ammunition into Iran. Additionally, the IRGC announced plans to impose controls over fibre-optic cables passing through the Strait of Hormuz, asserting their sovereignty over the waterway.
On the US side, Trump characterized the ongoing talks with Iran as a “very positive development,” which influenced his decision to delay military action. However, some analysts suggest that his insistence on zero uranium enrichment could complicate negotiations further. Political commentators note that the war is becoming increasingly problematic for Trump domestically, as rising living costs linked to the conflict could impact upcoming elections.
