Former President Donald Trump said the U.S. was nearly one hour away from launching additional attacks on Iran before the strike was called off [1].
The revelation highlights the volatility of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and the influence of regional partners on American military decisions.
Speaking during a press briefing in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Trump described how close the military was to executing the operation [2]. He said, "We were an hour away from launching a new attack on Iran" [1].
According to Trump, the decision to halt the military action came after requests from Gulf allies [3]. He said the U.S. scrapped the planned attack because serious negotiations toward a peace deal were underway [3].
Trump also commented on the public perception of the conflict. "The war is very popular," Trump said [2].
While Trump emphasized the diplomatic pivot, other reports suggest the regional security environment remains unstable. Some sources indicate that Israel and the U.S. are preparing to renew war as soon as next week [4].
Trump maintained that the coordination with regional partners was the primary driver for the delay. He said, "We scrapped the planned attack at the request of our Gulf allies as serious negotiations are ongoing" [3].
“"We were an hour away from launching a new attack on Iran."”
This statement underscores a tension between military readiness and diplomatic efforts. By claiming the U.S. was moments away from a strike, Trump emphasizes both the potency of U.S. military capabilities and the strategic importance of Gulf allies in moderating those actions to allow for peace negotiations.
