[ANALYSIS] Iranian War Day 81: Trump delays Iran strikes for 2-3 days

OVERVIEW Trump said he ordered the US military to delay a planned Iran attack after requests from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, as serious talks are taking place. Trump said the US remains prepared to launch a full-scale assault on Iran at a moment’s notice if an acceptable deal is not reached. Iran reiterated that dialogue does not mean surrender and warned it is prepared to respond rapidly to any new aggression. US / IRAN TALKS Trump said he instructed Secretary of War Hegseth, Joint Chiefs Chairman Caine and the US military to hold off on a planned Iran attack originally scheduled for Tuesday. Trump said Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar requested a short delay to the strike because serious talks are now taking place. Trump said a future agreement must ensure Iran does not obtain nuclear weapons. Trump said the US military remains prepared for a “full, large-scale assault” on Iran at a moment’s notice if talks fail. Trump said “hopefully, maybe forever” regarding delaying the attack, while adding the US would likely be satisfied with a deal preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Trump said countries requested the Iran attack be delayed by “2-3 days”. Trump told The Post he is “not open” to concessions for Tehran following Iran’s latest response in talks. Trump said Iran knows “what’s going to be happening soon”. The State Department said Trump still prefers a diplomatic path and has kept the door open from the beginning. A US official told CNBC reports claiming Washington agreed to lift oil sanctions during negotiations were false. Israeli security sources said preparations were completed for another round of fighting expected to last several days and likely be the final round in the near term. A source familiar with US discussions said a strike on Iran “is not a question of whether but of when”, according to Israel Hayom. Iranian President Pezeshkian said dialogue does not mean surrender and Iran will not retreat from its legal rights. Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi met Pakistan’s Interior Minister Naqvi in Tehran and said contradictory and exaggerated US positions remain a serious obstacle to diplomacy. Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya commander warned the US and its allies against “strategic mistakes” and said Iran would respond quickly and firmly to any aggression. Supreme Leader military adviser Rezaei said Iran’s “iron fist” would force America to retreat and surrender. MILITARY Israeli media said the main reason Trump postponed attacks was Pentagon concern that Iran is strengthening air defences. Reports said Iran is improving warplane detection capabilities and reinforcing air defences, according to Al Mayadeen. Air defences were activated in Isfahan, according to Mehr. Tasnim reported air defences were activated on Qeshm Island after detection of micro drones. Four missiles reportedly targeted Kurdish separatist group headquarters in Iraqi Kurdistan. An Israeli drone strike was reported in Al-Qarara in southern Gaza. Hezbollah said it attacked Israeli soldiers in Rashaf, southern Lebanon, with drones. The Israeli military issued an evacuation warning for a building in Tyre, southern Lebanon. The IAEA said the UAE informed it off-site power had been restored to Unit 3 of the Barakah nuclear plant following a drone strike-related fire near the site. SHIPPING Fars News reported explosions in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait halted vessel traffic for two hours overnight. The exact source of the explosions remains unclear. Fars cited sources describing “unusual silence” from global maritime and insurance authorities regarding the incident.