US President Donald Trump announced that negotiations with Iran will begin on the afternoon of August 3, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One without specifying the meeting location or the composition of participants.
Trump said Washington already has an agreement on the Strait of Hormuz, with a deal on Iran's nuclear program to follow. He noted that Tehran, as well as the authorities of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, asked him to stop the strikes. The US president stressed that American forces could resume attacks at any moment.
"I would prefer to make a deal. I don't like killing people," Trump said. He earlier reported that he had called off an attack on Iran because Tehran and Middle Eastern countries had agreed on the terms of an agreement, including the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to the nuclear threat. According to him, Israel is joining this commitment; Israeli officials have not officially commented on the statement.
Iranian state media reported a phone call between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, as well as Pakistan's army chief General Asim Munir. Tehran had earlier confirmed that negotiations with Omani participation on shipping in the strait were in their final stage.
In mid-July, the US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding providing for a 60-day ceasefire, the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and a roadmap to a final agreement. However, the sides exchanged strikes, and after Tehran closed the strait, Washington reinstated a blockade and began regular bombing.
Sources at The Wall Street Journal reported that Gulf countries persuaded Trump to cancel new attacks and begin negotiations. Following the announcement of their resumption, Brent oil prices fell by more than 4%, to $83.9 per barrel.