Trump Cancels Attacks on Iran: New Talks Begin Monday, “I Don’t Want to Kill People

United States President Donald Trump announced that a new round of talks with Iran will begin on Monday. The development comes after he decided to cancel military strikes that, according to his statement, had been planned against Tehran.

Speaking to reporters aboard the presidential aircraft, Air Force One, Trump said the meetings would begin on Monday afternoon and would aim to reach an agreement between the parties. “We are communicating with them as part of a negotiating process. It begins tomorrow afternoon,” he said.

The White House chief said that several Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, had asked him to call off the attack. According to him, these countries believe there is still a chance to reach an agreement.

Tehran, meanwhile, has not yet confirmed the start of negotiations and has rejected the U.S. president’s statements. Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency described as untrue the claim that Iran had asked the United States to halt military actions.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, meanwhile, said progress was being made in negotiations with Oman over an agreement related to the Strait of Hormuz.

News of the resumption of dialogue was immediately reflected in international markets. Oil prices fell on Asian stock exchanges as investors assessed that tensions between the United States and Iran could ease.

The Strait of Hormuz is considered one of the key points in global energy trade, as around 20% of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas are transported through it.

Trump did not specify how long it might take to reach an agreement with Iran. However, he stressed that the United States remains prepared to take military action if the negotiating process fails. “We can act at any moment we want. I’m not looking to kill people,” the U.S. president said.

Earlier, Trump had warned that a strike against Iran would constitute one of the largest military operations since World War II. He explained that backing away from the attack was intended to give diplomacy room and prevent the further escalation of the conflict.

It has not yet been announced where the talks will be held or who will represent the parties. Washington aims to reach an agreement through negotiations, while Iran continues to warn that it will respond to any military threat.