Trump Cancels Iran Strikes After Regional Powers Urge Diplomacy

US President Donald Trump announced that he canceled planned attacks on Iran after receiving requests from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iran to delay the strikes in favor of rapid diplomacy. The decision came as negotiations between the US and Iran are set to resume on Monday.

According to Trump, the agreement would include the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a halt to Iran's nuclear program. However, Iranian officials rejected Trump's account of a request for a pause, with the Guardian reporting that Iran's Mehr news agency described the claim as 'nothing but a new lie.'

Trump said he spoke with Saudi Arabia's crown prince, who preferred diplomacy over military action. The US had been preparing to launch its largest attack since World War II, Trump warned.

The pause in strikes led to a drop in oil prices, with Brent crude falling 5.6% and US crude falling 5.5%. An AP poll found that almost two-thirds of Americans who responded say the war is not worth the fight.