Trump Delays Iran Strikes as U.S.-Iran Talks Near Final Stage

President Donald Trump has delayed planned military strikes against Iran, stating that diplomatic negotiations are in their final stages and that the United States will wait a few more days for what he termed the right answers from Tehran. The decision came after leaders from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates requested a delay to allow talks to continue. Trump said he was an hour away from ordering the strikes earlier this week.

The diplomatic push aims to formally end a conflict that began with U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran in late February. A ceasefire has been largely in place since early April, though sporadic attacks have continued. The fighting has resulted in thousands of casualties in Iran and Lebanon, with Iranian strikes killing dozens in Israel and Gulf states.

The latest diplomatic effort reportedly centers on a proposed letter of intent that would be signed by the U.S. and Iran to formally end the war and launch a 30-day negotiation period. The talks would focus on issues including Iran's nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route for oil and liquefied natural gas. Iran has maintained a blockade...