He assured this Monday that he had planned to launch an attack against Iran this Tuesday, but that he finally decided to temporarily postpone it after receiving direct pressure from several of its main allies in the Middle East.
“Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and some others asked me if we could delay it two or three days”explained the American president during a press conference at the White House.
According to Trumpthese countries consider that there is still a real possibility of reaching a diplomatic agreement with Tehran and thus avoid a new military escalation in the region.
“They believe they are very close to reaching an agreement”he stated.
Trump admits that he had already warned Israel
The president further explained that the decision has already been communicated to Israel and made it clear that the postponement could only be temporary. “I have delayed the attack for a short period of time. “Hopefully maybe forever, but possibly only for a while.”he pointed out.
Until now Trump had not publicly acknowledged that there was a military offensive planned for this Tuesday. The revelation also represents a new jump in tension around Iran, after weeks of practically blocked negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
Despite the postponement, the US president assured in Truth Social that he has ordered the Armed Forces to remain prepared “for a large-scale attack against Iran at any time” if talks fail.
The Strait of Hormuz worries the world again
Negotiations between both countries remain stalled mainly due to Washington’s demands to limit Iran’s nuclear program and stop uranium enrichment.
Iran has repeatedly rejected those conditions and this Monday announced that it has sent a counterproposal through Pakistani mediators.
Meanwhile, international fear returns to focus one of the most sensitive points on the planet for global energy trade.
The possibility of a new military offensive and an eventual Iranian blockade of the maritime passage threatens to cause strong global economic consequences and new turbulence in the energy markets.
And Trump, for now, seems to have decided to give diplomacy just “two or three days” more.
