WASHINGTON D.C Aug 3, 2026 — President Donald Trump said Monday that current talks with Iran amount to the country’s “last chance” to reach an agreement, after he halted plans for what he described as a massive U.S. military attack on the Islamic Republic.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office while signing an executive order, Trump said regional allies and Iran itself had requested a pause in hostilities so negotiations could proceed. “Many countries called… They all wanted to give this a last chance. This is a last chance,” Trump said. “This is a last chance for them to sign a good document.”
He later added that he wanted to give Tehran “every last chance before decapitation.”
According to the president, the discussions focus first on fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz — a critical oil shipping route — with the possibility of that happening as early as Tuesday. A second phase would address what Trump called the “denuclearization of Iran.”
Trump said he had been prepared to launch an assault “not seen since WWII” but stood down after appeals from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Iranian officials. He claimed the request came because the parties believed a deal was within reach.
The president also accused Iranian leaders of being “unbelievably duplicitous,” saying they had sought talks while publicly denying that negotiations were underway. He posted on Truth Social earlier Monday that Tehran was claiming discussions were limited to Oman even as U.S. officials said direct talks were occurring.
The remarks come amid a months-long conflict that has seen repeated cycles of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, temporary pauses, and failed attempts at lasting agreements. Trump has previously issued similar ultimatums, only for hostilities to resume.
Iran has not immediately issued a formal response to the latest “last chance” warning. Regional mediators continue efforts to lock in a ceasefire framework that would end attacks across the Middle East and lift certain restrictions on Iranian oil exports in exchange for security guarantees and limits on Tehran’s nuclear program.
As of late Monday, Trump insisted the talks remain active and that the United States retains the ability to resume military action “anytime we want” if no agreement materializes.
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