US President Donald Trump stated that the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE “dissuaded him” from attacking Iran on May 19 to facilitate negotiations. The U.S. president announced this on the social network Truth Social.
“Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, and President of the United Arab Emirates Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan asked me to refrain from our planned military attack on the Islamic Republic of Iran, which was scheduled for tomorrow, as serious negotiations are currently underway and, in their opinion as great leaders and allies, a deal will be made,” he wrote, according to RBC.
However, according to Trump, the U.S. military is ready to launch a large-scale offensive at any moment if an agreement is not reached.
Later, at a press conference broadcast by ABC News on YouTube, President Trump set a deadline for Iran before resuming hostilities.
“Two or three days. It’s a not very long period. If we can resolve everything without bombing everything to hell, that would be great,” Trump said, adding that he hopes Iran will agree to a peaceful deal.
Let us recall that since the beginning of April, a truce has been in effect between the US and Iran. Since then, the parties have repeatedly sent each other proposals through intermediaries regarding the terms of a peace agreement, but each time they were not satisfactory to the opposite side.
The Iranian agency Fars reported on May 17 that the US presented Tehran with five conditions for resuming peace negotiations. Among them are:
- refusal of any compensation and damage payments by the US;
- removal and transfer of 400 kg of Iranian uranium to the US;
- maintaining the operation of only one nuclear facility complex in Iran;
- refusal to unfreeze even 25% of Iranian assets;
- cessation of hostilities on all fronts is linked to the conduct and progress of negotiations.
Earlier, Tehran also presented its demands:
- ending the war on all fronts, especially in Lebanon;
- lifting of anti-Iranian sanctions;
- unfreezing of Iranian funds;
- compensation for damage from hostilities;
- recognition of Iran’s right to sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
All news about the war in the Middle East can be read in our coverage.
