Trump Offers Iran Final Deal as Negotiations Stall

Trump scrapped a major planned military strike on Iran on August 1 and said new negotiations would begin Monday afternoon. He credited requests from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Iran for the decision.

• Trump called the canceled strike 'the biggest attack since World War II.'
• Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called Trump on Saturday urging dialogue over strikes.
• Oil prices fell sharply in early Monday trading after the announcement.
• No deadline for a deal was set; Trump said strikes remain ready 'anytime we want.'

Why it matters: The conflict has entered its sixth month. Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted global energy markets and drawn in more countries.

• Fighting has expanded to the Red Sea and Egypt, including attacks on gas vessels at a Mediterranean port.
• New American casualties and rising energy prices have increased domestic pressure on Trump.

How 73 sources split on this story

Where they split: The core dispute is whether this pause represents genuine diplomatic progress or another short-lived halt in a pattern of repeated ceasefire collapses.

What’s next: Talks are set to begin Monday afternoon; no location or format has been disclosed.

• Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi said Iran-Oman talks on a new Strait route are in final stages.
• The State Department on Saturday urged Americans across the Middle East to prepare to depart on short notice.
• Whether Monday's talks will produce a framework before fighting resumes, as previous pauses have failed to do.
• What role Israel plays — Trump said Israel agreed to join the pause, but Israel has not publicly confirmed it.
• Whether Iran-Oman negotiations on the Strait route will feed into the broader U.S.-Iran talks.