US-Iran war live updates: Qatar, UAE, Pakistan pushed Trump to back away from ‘very hard’ strikes on Iran, says report

US President Donald Trump declared on June 12 that a peace agreement with Iran could be finalized 'very soon,' possibly in Europe over the weekend, signaling a potential end to the three-month conflict that has disrupted global shipping and energy markets. The deal would reportedly include the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for oil shipments, which Iran had threatened to close. Trump claimed Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had approved the agreement, stating Iran had accepted terms due to 'taking a pounding' in the conflict. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei countered that while negotiations were advanced, no final decision had been made, emphasizing that Iran would not abandon its 'red lines.' The draft text remains under review by decision-making bodies, according to Iranian media. Diplomatic pressure from Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Pakistan reportedly played a key role in Trump’s decision to cancel planned military strikes on Iran. Politico reported that these nations, which have influence over Tehran and Khamenei, urged Trump to avoid action after he warned Iran could face 'very hard' strikes that night. An administration official stated their intervention, coupled with the proximity of a tentative agreement, persuaded Trump to stand down. The conflict has escalated in recent days, with Iran and the US exchanging tit-for-tat strikes, including Iran’s reported attacks on a Kuwaiti airport radar and injuries to personnel. The US shot down Iranian drones in the Strait of Hormuz, while Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Trump had vowed the deal would include the removal of enriched uranium material. Egypt has urged both sides to seize the opportunity for a deal, while the UN chief called for a return to the US-Iran ceasefire. Oil prices have fluctuated amid uncertainty, dropping to a two-month low after Trump’s announcement of a potential peace deal.