President Donald Trump contacted Gulf allies to halt a planned strike on Iran and discuss a forthcoming peace deal.
This diplomatic shift comes as the U.S. seeks to avoid a direct military confrontation in the region. A full-scale conflict could destabilize global energy markets and jeopardize the security of the Strait of Hormuz.
Reports from late March 2026 indicate that Trump was one hour [1] away from striking Iran before pulling back at the request of Gulf allies. These partners, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, urged a pivot toward negotiations to prevent an escalation of hostilities.
Trump said the prospective peace deal was a "solid 50/50" [2] arrangement. The administration is now working with regional partners to finalize the terms of the agreement, which is expected to be announced shortly.
Despite the coordination with Gulf states, the path to a deal has not been entirely seamless. Reports indicate that Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were at odds over the next steps regarding Iran, suggesting a lack of total alignment among U.S. allies.
To facilitate the resolution, the U.S. utilized phone and diplomatic communications with the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The primary goal of these outreach efforts was to replace imminent military action with a negotiated settlement.
While the U.S. military remained on high alert during the window of the planned strike, the current focus has shifted to the diplomatic framework. The administration continues to engage with regional stakeholders to ensure the stability of the Middle East.
“Trump was "an hour away" from striking Iran before pulling back.”
This move signals a strategic pivot from the 'maximum pressure' military posture to a diplomatic framework. By prioritizing the requests of Gulf allies over a preemptive strike, the US is attempting to balance its security objectives with the economic and political stability of its regional partners. However, the reported friction with Israel suggests that the US may struggle to maintain a unified coalition if the peace deal is perceived as too lenient on Iran.
