Donald Trump delays Iran strikes, says negotiations will begin Monday

US President Donald Trump said fresh negotiations aimed at ending the war in Iran would begin on Monday afternoon, days after he decided against carrying out the large-scale military strikes he had earlier threatened.

According to Trump, the proposed talks are expected to focus on ending the conflict and reviving cargo movement through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route for oil and natural gas. However, Iran's Foreign Ministry said Tehran was not currently engaged in direct negotiations with the United States.

Trump says diplomacy gets more time

Speaking about his decision, Trump said he chose to delay military action after appeals from Gulf allies, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as requests from unnamed Iranian officials.

He said the US had prepared "the biggest attack since World War II", but decided to allow diplomacy another opportunity.

"Now what we’re doing is we're talking to them in the form of a negotiation. It begins tomorrow afternoon," Trump said, without identifying those expected to participate in the discussions.

Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the country's ongoing discussions were only with Oman and were limited to ensuring temporary safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran announces executions

Separately, Iran's judiciary said it executed two men on Monday after convicting them of spying for Israel during last year's 12-day conflict and the ongoing war.

The judiciary's Mizan news agency identified the men as Omid Behzad and Pouria Safvat, alleging they supplied military coordinates, images and other intelligence used in attacks on Iranian targets.

Humanitarian crisis deepens in Gaza

The conflict continues to affect civilians across the region. Hospitals in Gaza reported that at least 17 people, including children, were killed in Israeli strikes over the weekend. The Israeli military said the operations targeted militant operatives.

At the same time, displaced Palestinians are facing severe summer heat in overcrowded tent camps. Humanitarian agencies have warned that limited access to water, electricity and sanitation, combined with soaring temperatures, is increasing the risk of dehydration and disease.

Describing the conditions, displaced resident Aida Abu Hadeesha said, “It’s very hot. We can’t stay inside the tents. Our tent is made of nylon,” adding, “There is no breeze, nothing, and our kids are suffering," and "The flies and the cockroaches attack us.”