WANA (Aug 03) – U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that negotiations between Washington and Tehran will begin on Monday afternoon, expressing hope that the talks could lead to an agreement and prevent further loss of life.

 

Following his decision not to proceed with what he described as a planned large-scale attack on Iran, Trump claimed that Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and even Iran had asked him to halt the strikes.

 

“There was supposed to be a very large attack,” Trump said, adding that when allies request that an attack be stopped, “you have to say: ‘Alright, let’s see what happens.’”

 

The U.S. president claimed that regional allies believe an agreement is possible, saying: “There is an agreement regarding the Strait of Hormuz, and there will also be an agreement on the nuclear issue.”

 

Asked by a reporter what would happen next regarding Iran, Trump said: “We are negotiating with them. These negotiations will begin tomorrow afternoon. If they succeed, they will save many lives.”

 

Trump also acknowledged differing views within his administration and among his advisers over how to deal with Iran, saying: “There are people who want me to carry out this attack — just attack. And there are others who do not want me to do that.”

 

In response to a question about whether Iran faces a specific deadline to reach an agreement, Trump said: “We will see. I am not looking to kill people.”

 

He also claimed that he had asked Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince what action he preferred, saying the response was: “We prefer a deal over an attack.”