President Donald Trump announced Monday that he has called off a planned military attack on Iran as diplomatic negotiations toward a comprehensive peace deal appear to be gaining serious traction. The move marks a dramatic reversal from just days earlier, when Trump had warned that "the Clock is Ticking" for Iran to accept terms.
Senior administration officials confirmed that back-channel communications between Washington and Tehran have intensified over the past two weeks. The talks, brokered in part through Omani intermediaries, focus on Iran's nuclear programme, regional proxy conflicts, and the release of American detainees.
"We are closer to a deal than at any point in the past decade," one senior White House aide told reporters. "The President believes a negotiated solution is achievable and preferable to military action."
Iran's foreign ministry issued a cautious but positive statement, saying it "welcomes dialogue conducted in good faith." Iranian President Pezeshkian agreed to a 30-day pause in uranium enrichment activities as a confidence-building measure — a significant concession that caught many analysts by surprise.
The pause in enrichment signals Iran is willing to come to the table seriously. This is the most promising diplomatic opening since the 2015 JCPOA.
The news sent oil prices tumbling more than 4% in early Monday trading, with Brent crude falling below $78 per barrel. Gulf states expressed cautious optimism, while Israel signalled concerns about any deal that does not permanently dismantle Iran's nuclear infrastructure.
Negotiations are expected to continue through the week, with a potential summit between senior officials tentatively scheduled in Geneva. The White House says it hopes to have "a framework in place" within 60 days.
