President Trump Calls Off Military Strike as Iran Attacks US Base in Kuwait
President Trump called off a planned massive military strike against Iran over the weekend, opting for a diplomatic approach at the urging of Gulf allies. The administration announced that negotiations regarding the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian denuclearization are imminent. However, the administration noted that while President Trump believes a deal is close, Iranian officials have denied engaging in direct negotiations with the United States, branding the Iranian leadership as "unbelievably duplicitous" on social media. Simultaneously, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps conducted a drone attack on a US military base in Kuwait, using at least three drones. This action has strained relations between Iran and Kuwait, with the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, accusing Kuwait of being "part of the fire of the wicked" due to the recent aggression. Despite the Iranian denial of direct talks, the administration remains committed to a user-based naval blockade until a deal or total surrender is achieved. The administration also noted that Kuwait ratified a five-year defense pact with Pakistan, which serves as a mediator in the Iran-US negotiations.