Trump reverses threatened Iran strikes after diplomatic talks

President Donald Trump warned on Friday that the United States could intensify military operations against Iran if negotiations failed, saying the U.S. was "losing faith" in talks and would "hit them very hard." Hours later, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Iran would continue to pay until it returned to the negotiating table in a manner the president deemed "meaningful." By Saturday night, Trump posted on social media that signs of progress had led him to call off a planned large-scale strike.

Trump told reporters that requests from unnamed Iranian officials and leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to allow more diplomatic time influenced his decision. He added that Saudi Arabia also opposed a major attack, believing a deal was near.

Senator Mark Kelly, a Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, described the president's approach as "erratic" and suggested Trump might seek a reset of the conflict. Critics note that similar patterns have occurred earlier this year, including a cease-fire announced in early April after Trump set a deadline for Iranian capitulation, a postponed strike on May 18 following Gulf-ally persuasion, and a June threat to seize Iranian oil facilities that was later withdrawn.

According to an unnamed source, a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Saturday contributed to Trump's decision, with the crown prince warning that further escalation could disrupt the global economy if Iran retaliated against Gulf partners.

Polling by the Associated Press-NORC Center shows about two-thirds of U.S. adults view the war with Iran unfavorably, including a majority of Democrats and independents and roughly 37% of Republicans. Republican Senator John Kennedy said the administration should maintain the current stance, focusing on sanctions and nuclear issues rather than expanding the conflict.