Middle East live: Cargo ship hit by 'unknown projectile' in Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump has announced that renewed talks between the US and Iran will commence on Monday, according to remarks he made to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday. The military strikes that were planned in response to recent events were suspended following negotiations between Saudi Arabian, Emirati, and Qatari negotiators who conveyed to Trump their belief that a deal was "imminent," encompassing the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear ambitions.

When queried about his decision to postpone the strikes, Trump queried whether the country should resort to such severe measures. He mentioned that the Saudi Crown Prince had persuaded him to refrain from attacking Iran, cautioning that the aftermath could be unpredictable and result in "a lot of bad things." Trump disclosed that the US military was "ready to go" for a substantial attack, which he highlighted as being "the biggest attack since World War II" and disastrous for Iran.

Although the US has indicated readiness to launch such an attack "at any time," Trump expressed a preference for a deal over further strikes. He emphasized that he is not aiming to cause casualties, but acknowledged that the planned strikes would result in significant loss of life. On Saturday, Trump had urged for an immediate agreement with Iran via a post on Truth Social, stipulating that the deal would need to incorporate "the Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat."

He underscored that the US is "locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II," but had agreed to halt the strikes pending Iran's commitment to a swift resolution.