Trump Pauses Further Iran Strikes as Gulf Leaders Push for Peace

2026, November 9

United States / Iran / Qatar / Saudi Arabia

US President Donald Trump announced that he would hold off on launching further military strikes against Iran for the time being, following appeals from regional governments. The announcement came after a White House meeting with Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, who has been acting as a key mediator between Washington and Tehran. Trump said the United States would nevertheless maintain its naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, G7 foreign ministers gathered in Paris to discuss the Iran conflict and Russia's continuing war against Ukraine. Despite renewed diplomatic activity, officials warned that a comprehensive agreement with Iran remained difficult to achieve. Attacks on shipping and continuing military operations underline the uncertainty surrounding the proposed peace efforts.