It would have been the largest attack since World War II.
This is how the US president describes the attacks that were reportedly being prepared against Iran in recent days. But after appeals from several countries in the Middle East, the plans were called off. A call from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in particular is said to have been decisive.
"He said they would prefer a deal to an attack, because you don't know what the attacks would lead to," Trump told media on Air Force One.
"Now we are talking to them in the form of a negotiation. It starts tomorrow."
A few hours later, Iran denied that there were any contacts.
"We are not negotiating with the US right now. Our negotiations are with Oman, to secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei, according to news agencies.
At the same time, however, pro-regime Iranian media report that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke on the phone on Monday for the second time in 24 hours with his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir. The latter has previously played a leading role as a mediator between Iran and the United States.
