U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday he would hold off on fresh military strikes against Iran for now following appeals from neighbouring countries, while maintaining a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Reuters reporting published by CBC, Trump announced the decision after White House talks with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, a key intermediary with Tehran.

Trump said Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait were among the countries urging Washington not to launch new attacks. The announcement did not amount to a peace agreement, and U.S. and Gulf officials remained doubtful about an imminent diplomatic breakthrough.

Al-Thani, who visited Tehran last week, described his discussions with Trump and Vice-President JD Vance as positive. Iranian security council chief Mohsen Rezaei, meanwhile, accused Washington of manufacturing reports about talks and demanded acceptance of Iran’s conditions.

Iran’s proposal calls for an end to the U.S. blockade of its ports, relief from some sanctions and a halt to bombing. In return, Tehran would stop its own blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, with negotiations on its nuclear program and other sanctions to follow.

Washington has repeatedly rejected those terms. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called them unrealistic on Sunday, while Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei defended the proposal Monday as the most reasonable offer available.

The diplomatic efforts came amid reports of continued attacks. Iranian state media reported U.S. strikes on Qeshm island overnight Sunday. A provincial official told the semi-official Fars news agency that vital infrastructure and services were unaffected. The United States had not commented on those reports.

Senior UAE official Anwar Gargash warned Monday that a comprehensive settlement appeared difficult and that the region should prepare for a prolonged period of uncertainty.

Sources