President Donald Trump is giving Iran what he calls one final opportunity to reach a deal before the United States considers another round of military action.
Speaking from the Oval Office on Monday, Trump said negotiations aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and addressing Tehran’s nuclear program are expected to begin within the next day or two. He described the coming diplomatic effort as Iran’s “last chance” to avoid further escalation.
“The first phase is the opening of the straits. The second phase will be the denuclearization.” Trump says that ”will take a little while.”
The president said he personally decided against authorizing another major U.S. offensive after leaders from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates urged him to give diplomacy another opportunity.
According to Trump, U.S. forces were prepared to launch what he called “the biggest attack since World War II” on Sunday. But he said he canceled the operation after conversations with Gulf leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as well as requests from unnamed Iranian officials to keep negotiations alive.
NOW – Trump says Iran called and begged him not to attack last night: “Please, don’t attack. We’ll make a deal.” pic.twitter.com/Ac2TWdHE80
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) August 3, 2026
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The diplomatic push comes after months of heavy fighting that has battered Iran’s military leadership and significantly weakened parts of its air force and navy. Even so, Tehran appears to be betting it can outlast Washington as the conflict drags on and public support for a prolonged war remains shaky ahead of November’s midterm elections.
Hours before his Oval Office remarks, Trump lashed out after Iran publicly denied that negotiations with the United States were underway.
“Iranian Leadership is unbelievably duplicitous!” Trump fumed on his Truth Social platform.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Monday that no direct talks with the United States are currently taking place, contradicting Trump’s assertion that negotiations are set to resume in the coming days.
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