Trump says US was hour away from new Iran strike before postponing attack

US President Donald Trump has revealed that American forces were just one hour away from launching a new military strike against Iran before he postponed the operation at the last minute. According to Trump's account, naval vessels had already been loaded with missiles and other weapons for the planned attack when he made the decision to delay the strike.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump explained that he postponed the strike after receiving calls from leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. These leaders allegedly requested more time for diplomatic negotiations to enable a peaceful resolution to the conflict. However, the President warned that the US could execute another strike within days if no agreement is reached to end the current conflict.

Representatives from the Gulf states contradict Trump's version of events, however. Multiple sources report that leadership figures from the mentioned countries have denied having advance knowledge of the planned US attacks on Iran. These contradictions raise questions about the exact circumstances surrounding the decision-making process.

Trump specified his threats with a concrete timeframe, stating that a new attack could occur within two to three days, possibly on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, or at the latest early next week. He cited the need to prevent Iran from developing new nuclear weapons as justification. According to Trump, Tehran is "begging to make a deal."

Financial markets reacted immediately to Trump's announcement of the postponed attack. Oil prices fell by more than one percent, with Brent crude futures dropping to just above $110 per barrel and US oil futures falling to $103 per barrel. Markets are closely monitoring talks between Washington and Tehran amid ongoing concerns about the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies normally pass daily.

Diplomatic efforts continue alongside the military threats. Trump also mentioned a conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which Xi allegedly assured him that Beijing would not supply weapons to Iran. This assurance could be an important building block in the complex international negotiations, as China traditionally maintains close relations with Iran.

Reports indicate that the US and Iran have already exchanged several proposals to avoid further escalation of the conflict. Tehran is said to be demanding the lifting of sanctions as part of a possible peace agreement. Qatar confirmed that negotiations between the US and Iran need "more time," suggesting that diplomatic efforts are continuing despite the military threats.

The current situation shows Trump in a difficult position between military options and diplomatic solution attempts. Analysts see this as a pattern where the White House is increasingly relying on Middle Eastern allies while searching for a simple way out of the conflict. The challenge lies in both reopening global shipping lanes and avoiding further escalation.

Trump's approach reflects what observers describe as outsourcing policy decisions to regional allies, while the administration appears unable to find a straightforward path to end the fighting. The President has maintained his position as a "dealmaker-in-chief," using both threats and incentives to reach a new agreement that would also reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The coming days will be decisive in determining whether diplomatic efforts bear fruit or whether Trump follows through on his threats. The international community is closely watching developments, as further escalation of the conflict could have far-reaching impacts on the global economy and regional stability. The contradiction between Trump's claims and the Gulf states' denials adds another layer of uncertainty to an already complex situation.

As negotiations reportedly continue, the world waits to see whether the combination of military pressure and diplomatic engagement will yield results, or whether the region will face another round of military confrontation with potentially severe consequences for global energy markets and international security.