Donald Trump says a renewed US attack on Iran now looks unlikely after talks with Qatar's prime minister and calls with regional leaders. Mediators are still working on an interim deal, but the fate of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile remains a sticking point.
Donald Trump said he sees progress toward ending the Iran war. According to the Financial Times, he wrote on Truth Social: "We are seeing positive momentum toward an end to this Conflict". He added that a renewed US attack on Iran seems quite unlikely.
The US president spoke after meeting Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, whose government has been spearheading regional efforts to mediate an interim deal. A diplomat briefed on the talks called the meeting with Trump and vice-president JD Vance positive. Trump later told reporters he would maintain the status quo in the war, which he said he was doing at the behest of Iran's neighbours.
Regional leaders urge more time for diplomacy
At least four Arab and Muslim leaders have spoken with Trump in recent days, urging him to give diplomacy more time and hold off on fresh strikes. They worry he could launch a new attack after last week's midterm elections. The callers include Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, according to people briefed on the calls.
Meanwhile, Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu has called for renewed US-Israeli strikes aimed at forcing the collapse of Iran's regime. Iran, for its part, has said it is prepared to respond to any attacks, and warned it would target undersea cables in the Strait of Hormuz and data centres in the region.
What the interim proposal would involve
Mediators are working on a proposal based on a version of a seven-day plan Tehran presented in September, which Trump rejected. Under it, Iran would allow shipping to move freely through the strait if the US lifted its blockade on Iranian ports, allowed Tehran to export oil and granted it access to some frozen assets held overseas. The parties would then restart negotiations on a final deal.
Sticking points include the sequencing of the proposals and the fate of Iran's 440kg stockpile of highly enriched uranium. The White House has insisted that Iran give up the stockpile and transfer it offshore, but Iranian officials publicly reject any such move.
Source: Financial Times
Trading involves risk.
Risk Disclaimer
