Washington, August 3, 2026 (Kamran Raja): The United States and Iran are set to resume negotiations on Monday after US President Donald Trump announced that he had postponed a planned large-scale military operation against Iran in favor of pursuing a diplomatic solution.Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, President Trump said talks between Washington and Tehran would begin on Monday afternoon, although he did not disclose the venue or the participants involved in the negotiations. Trump stated that he decided to suspend what he described as a potentially “disastrous” military strike after appeals from regional allies, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, as well as requests conveyed by Iran through diplomatic channels.
According to Trump, the planned operation would have been the largest US military attack since World War II. He claimed the strikes would have inflicted severe damage on Iran’s military infrastructure and warned that rebuilding would have taken years, if it were possible at all.The US president said discussions are expected to focus on two major issues: ensuring the security of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy shipping routes, and advancing negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme, which he referred to as the country’s “denuclearisation.”Trump also revealed that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had urged restraint, warning that military action could trigger regional instability, humanitarian crises, and unintended consequences for neighboring countries.
The conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran intensified on February 28, when the US and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iranian targets. Although intermittent diplomatic efforts produced temporary periods of calm, previous ceasefire arrangements—including proposals related to the Strait of Hormuz—ultimately collapsed, leading to renewed hostilities. Meanwhile, Iran has intensified its diplomatic engagement. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi held separate telephone conversations with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, to discuss regional diplomatic initiatives, according to Iranian state media. Iran’s official news agency IRNA reported that negotiations between Tehran and Oman regarding maritime arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz are nearing completion. However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei clarified that the discussions concern the establishment of a new maritime route and are unrelated to any decision regarding the opening or closure of the strategic waterway.
On the Israeli side, Energy Minister Eli Cohen reaffirmed close security and intelligence coordination with the United States. He stated that regardless of the outcome of diplomatic negotiations, Israel would take military action if Iran attempted to revive its nuclear programme or expand its ballistic missile capabilities. Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in Washington last week, where they reportedly reviewed diplomatic, economic, and military options aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Tehran has consistently denied seeking to acquire a nuclear arsenal. The upcoming negotiations are being closely watched by the international community, as they could significantly influence regional stability, global energy markets, and future US-Iran relations.