Trump Announces Iran Nuclear Talks Resuming Today, Predicts Deal on Disarmament

On the night between Sunday and Monday, August 2, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly addressed his decision to cancel a planned military strike on Iran for the first time. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump expressed optimism about the prospects of renewed negotiations with Tehran, stating that talks would resume later that afternoon. He declared, "There is a deal on Hormuz, and there will be a deal on dismantling the nuclear program."

Trump explained that the cancellation of the strike was influenced by requests from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Iran itself, describing the planned attack as "massive." He indicated that allied nations believed a deal was possible and urged patience.

Meanwhile, American sources sharply criticized Israel's ongoing targeted killings in Gaza, claiming these actions isolate Israel in the Middle East and portray it as bloodthirsty. The U.S. was reportedly surprised by the continuation of these operations despite Israel's prior commitment to halt targeted assassinations as part of efforts to compel Hamas to disarm.

In Israel, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Channel 14 his intention to replace Central Command Chief Avi Blot with Aluf Dado Bar-Kalifa, head of the IDF Operations Directorate. Katz made the announcement without prior coordination with the IDF Chief of Staff, breaking usual protocol. The IDF responded that no changes in key command positions are planned during this sensitive period, and a military source suggested Katz's move was politically motivated amid internal Likud party primaries.

Additional reports included a British maritime trade center update on an explosion near a ship in the southern Strait of Hormuz and Iranian reports that a crew member killed in an attack by Ukraine in the Caspian Sea was returned home. Gulf states expressed frustration over what they perceive as a lack of clear U.S. strategy toward Iran, demanding stronger defense guarantees from Washington as Iranian attacks continue. Tehran warned of preemptive strikes if negotiations fail, while efforts to establish an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz continue.