NPN

Speaking to reporters, US President Donald Trump stated that he does not wish to take lives; therefore, at the urging of allied nations, he is once again open to talks with Iran. He mentioned that these discussions would take place on Monday afternoon. Trump noted that they were prepared to launch an attack—one that would have been the largest since World War II—but Iran requested that they refrain from doing so. He added that Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Iran had asked for this. He also hinted at the possibility of reaching agreements regarding both the Strait of Hormuz and the nuclear issue. 'I do not want to take lives' Explaining his decision to halt the attack on Iran, US President Donald Trump said, "I do not want to take lives because people die. We do not want that. I asked the King and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. I asked, 'Would you like us to do this or not?' They said, 'We would prefer a deal.' Because you never know how far these attacks might escalate. I mean, it would be a major disaster. A lot of terrible things could happen." 'It would have been the biggest attack since World War II' US President Donald Trump said, "It was going to be a massive attack. It would have been the largest attack since World War II, but they [Iran] asked us not to do it. They said, 'Please don't do it.' Their neighbors said the same thing." He added, "Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Iran asked for this. We were fully prepared; it would have been a huge attack. But when allies ask to avert it, you have to stop and think—let's see. And the reason they say this is that they believe a deal is possible." "There could be a deal regarding Hormuz, and then a deal on the nuclear issue as well." 'Iran said they want a deal' Trump said, "I call it the denuclearization of Iran. We are holding off on it. We can do it whenever we want. Iran had also appealed to us; they said they wanted to make a deal. Now, I don't know what they say, because often they tell me one thing and then go out and say they don't know what I'm talking about. Obviously, they don't want to be attacked. They realized the gravity of the potential attack because they saw it unfolding." 'Saudi Arabia also doesn't want an attack' Trump added, "What we are doing now is engaging in talks with them. This will begin tomorrow (Monday) afternoon; I would prefer to do that. It will save many lives. It will avoid the use of excessive, unnecessary force. It takes many, many years to rebuild. To be honest, even Saudi Arabia didn't want this (attack) to happen."