Trump says fresh US-Iran talks to begin as attack delayed

US President Donald Trump says a new round of talks with Iran is expected to begin on Monday after he postponed a planned large-scale military attack, according to the BBC.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said discussions would begin “tomorrow afternoon,” adding that Iran was aware of the scale of the planned strike.

Trump also claimed Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, along with mediators from the UAE and Qatar, urged him to delay the attack because prospects for an agreement had improved. He said negotiations were focused on the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear programme.

Iran has not officially responded to Trump’s remarks. However, the semi-official Mehr News Agency rejected his claim that Tehran had sought a pause in military action, calling it “a new lie.”

Iranian media reported that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said talks with Oman on the Strait of Hormuz were close to being finalised.

Trump did not disclose where the talks would take place or who would participate. According to the BBC, no further details have been announced.