Journalists reveal why Trump backed away from launching major strike against Iran

After US President Donald Trump threatened in a social media post to launch a very powerful strike against Iran, leaders from the Gulf states and South Asia reportedly called him in an attempt to persuade him to abandon those plans.

Source: European Pravda, citing Politico

Details: During the conversations, the leaders assured Trump that a preliminary agreement paving the way for more detailed negotiations was effectively already in place.

According to two administration officials and one diplomat familiar with the discussions, the previously unreported calls came from the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Pakistani Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir.

One of Politico's sources said that the leaders' assurances that a deal was within reach convinced Trump to abandon his plans to strike Iran.

Background:

• In recent days, the United States and Iran had been exchanging proposals through Qatar and Pakistan, but Trump was becoming increasingly frustrated and openly questioned whether Iran was leading him up the garden path.
• Then, earlier this week, the two sides resumed exchanging strikes after Iran shot down a US helicopter, prompting Trump to increase the pressure on Tehran in an effort to secure a swift agreement.
• Trump said on the evening of Thursday 11 June that he had called off planned strikes on Iran, which he had announced just hours before, because the final points of an agreement between the two sides had been approved.
• He later said that an agreement with Iran could be signed as early as this weekend in Europe.
• According to media reports, the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran provides for the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz without transit fees and the easing of sanctions against Iran in exchange for its compliance with the agreed rules.

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