U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, and Iran urged Washington not to carry out planned military strikes against Iranian territory, claiming the attacks were called off after appeals from regional leaders.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said the United States had been prepared to launch what he described as an exceptionally powerful military operation against Iran before deciding to hold back.
"We were going to hit them very hard yesterday, very, very hard, harder than any attack... since World War II," Trump said.
The U.S. president said Washington received calls from several Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, asking the United States to refrain from launching the strikes.
"Saudi Arabia called, and the UAE called, Qatar called. We got calls from numerous people. I don't want to use the word 'begging,' but some were in particular. Iran did not want to be hit," Trump said.
Trump did not provide further details about the planned military operation or specify the diplomatic contacts that led to the decision to halt the strikes. Iran has not immediately commented on the U.S. president's remarks.
