Trump says new round of Iran talks will begin Monday | Conflict News
President Trump Postpones Planned Strikes on Iran Amid Diplomatic Efforts
Negotiations set to begin Monday following requests from Gulf allies and Tehran
By Al Jazeera Staff, AFP, and Reuters
Published on August 2, 2026
President Donald Trump announced Sunday that negotiations with Iran will commence Monday, following his decision to defer planned military strikes. The shift aims to explore a diplomatic resolution to ongoing tensions.
Onboard Air Force One, Trump revealed that the U.S. had prepared for “the biggest attack since World War II” against Iran but opted to halt it to allow for talks. “Obviously, they don’t want to be attacked. They knew the extent of the attack because they saw it forming,” he said.
Although details regarding the venue and participants of the negotiations were not disclosed, Trump indicated that conversations with Iran will take precedence. He emphasized that regional allies, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, urged him to postpone the strikes. “When the allies asked to call it off, you’ve got to sort of say, ‘Well, let’s see,’” Trump stated.
According to Trump, discussions are ongoing regarding the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route. He mentioned that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia also advised against military action, citing concerns over potential unintended consequences. “A lot of bad things can happen,” Trump warned.
The announcement coincided with a second telephonic discussion between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. The call included Pakistani Army Commander Asim Munir and focused on enhancing security and stability in West Asia.
In remarks to the media, Araghchi outlined a broader commitment to regional cooperation and political solutions. Earlier on Sunday, the Iranian news agency IRNA reported that negotiations with Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz are nearing completion. Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei noted that the discussions aim to establish a new route through the strait, unrelated to the status of the waterway.
Tensions in the region escalated after the onset of hostilities on February 28, when the U.S. and Israel executed surprise strikes against Iran. Subsequent diplomatic efforts had intermittently curtailed violence, but incidents between Iran and the U.S. have resurfaced in recent weeks.
A previous ceasefire agreement, which included the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, critical for global energy supplies, disintegrated, leading Iran to tighten its control over the area.
