TRUMP CONFIRMS POSTPONEMENT OF PLANNED MILITARY STRIKE ON IRAN, CITING REQUESTS FROM ALLIED GULF NATIONS

TRUMP WROTE ON TRUTH SOCIAL MONDAY THAT HE HAD AUTHORIZED A MILITARY STRIKE ON IRAN BUT AGREED TO DELAY THE OPERATION AFTER RECEIVING PERSONAL CALLS FROM ALLIED NATIONS IN THE GULF REGION; THE PRESIDENT SAID HE EXPECTED IRAN TO "USE THIS TIME WISELY" AND WARNED THAT U.S. PATIENCE WAS "NOT UNLIMITED"; SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS CONFIRMED THE POSTPONEMENT WAS FOR AT LEAST 24 HOURS AND SAID A REVISED IRANIAN PROPOSAL WAS EXPECTED THROUGH DIPLOMATIC BACK-CHANNELS; SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO SAID THE WINDOW FOR A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION REMAINED OPEN BUT THAT ALL MILITARY OPTIONS STAYED ON THE TABLE; TEHRAN DID NOT OFFICIALLY RESPOND TO THE DELAY, THOUGH IRAN'S FOREIGN MINISTRY SAID NEGOTIATIONS WERE CONTINUING THROUGH ESTABLISHED CHANNELS, ACCORDING TO REUTERS AND THE WASHINGTON POST.