U.S. President Donald Trump has said that Iran sought talks with Washington ahead of potential large-scale U.S. military strikes, adding that negotiations between the two countries are making progress.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Monday, Trump said the United States was fully prepared to launch extensive military operations against Iran, but Tehran requested negotiations to avert the planned attacks. According to Trump, Iran did not want to become the target of U.S. military action.
The U.S. president also said that Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar subsequently contacted Washington and began efforts to facilitate the negotiations.
Trump claimed that Iranian officials had requested talks on the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear program. He said the negotiations were initiated at Iran’s request and are being supported by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and particularly Qatar, with several other countries also participating in the process.
He further stated that a “very severe strike” against Iran had been planned for Monday, but the situation changed once negotiations began. Trump claimed that, had the attack been carried out, it could have been one of the most intense military operations since the end of World War II.
The U.S. president warned Iran that this was its final opportunity to reach what he described as “a good deal,” adding that the outcome would become clear very soon.
Trump also said that the first phase of the negotiations is focused on the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, while the second phase will address Iran’s nuclear program.
Iranian officials have not yet issued an official response to Trump’s remarks.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
