US President Donald Trump said Sunday that negotiations with Iran will begin Monday afternoon, after he agreed to hold off on new strikes in the five-month-old conflict to pursue a deal.
Trump announced Saturday evening on social media that Middle Eastern allies had reached the parameters of an agreement to end the war, saying it would include the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to Iran's nuclear threat. Based on that request, he said, he had agreed to delay strikes.
The reversal came after reported intervention by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who called Trump on Saturday to voice concerns about his strike plans, and after Iran threatened to retaliate decisively against its neighbours in the event of a US attack. Kuwait reported being hit by Iranian drones on Saturday, and two ships were attacked off Oman in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, said Iran clearly did not want to be attacked and that the two sides were now talking in the form of a negotiation. He described the delay as subject to being able to rapidly make a deal.
The conflict has sent prices of oil and basic goods soaring.