Washington has signaled a dramatic shift from military confrontation to direct diplomacy with Tehran, with President Donald Trump announcing that negotiations will commence Monday afternoon. The decision follows his last-minute decision to call off what he described as potentially the largest attack since World War II. Main Developments Trump revealed the timeline while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, stating that the talks would begin the following afternoon. He offered no specifics on the venue or which officials would participate, leaving many procedural questions unanswered. The president explained that Iran and key US partners in the region—Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar—had urged him to postpone the planned military action. "When the allies asked to call it off, you've got to sort of say, 'Well, let's see,'" Trump said, indicating that the allies believe a deal is achievable. Read also: Why Lula's Fourth-Term Bid Is Really About Brazil's Sovereignty According to Trump, the initial agreement would center on the Strait of Hormuz, followed by a broader understanding on Iran's nuclear program. He quoted Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as warning of unintended consequences, including potential mass displacement and regional instability. Background The conflict dates to February 28, when the US and Israel launched surprise strikes against Iran. Since then, intermittent diplomacy has produced periods of relative calm, though a previous ceasefire that included the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz collapsed. Iran has since tightened its grip on the waterway, a critical artery for global energy shipments, as attacks between the two nations resumed in recent weeks. The new diplomatic push appears to be an attempt to break this cycle. On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a second phone call with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, joined by Pakistani Army Commander Asim Munir. Araghchi described the discussions as focused on initiatives to maintain security and stability in West Asia, emphasizing regional cooperation and political solutions. Iran's official IRNA news agency reported that negotiations between Tehran and Oman over the Strait of Hormuz were in their final stages, citing Araghchi. Why It Matters This development could reshape the trajectory of a conflict that has already caused significant regional upheaval. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital chokepoint for global oil supplies, and any stable agreement would have far-reaching economic implications. Trump's assertion that a "perimeter" of a deal exists suggests that months of back-channel efforts may be yielding tangible results. The involvement of Gulf states and Pakistan underscores the regional dimension of the crisis, with multiple actors invested in preventing further escalation. For Iran, the talks offer a potential path to sanctions relief and international legitimacy, while the US seeks to avoid a prolonged military engagement with unpredictable consequences. What's Next Monday's talks are expected to focus initially on the Strait of Hormuz, with a separate track for nuclear issues. Iranian officials have stressed that negotiations over a new shipping route are independent of the strait's status. Key questions remain: Who will represent each side? Will the talks be direct or mediated? And can the parties translate preliminary agreements into a durable ceasefire? The coming days will test whether the diplomatic momentum can overcome the deep mistrust built up over months of conflict.