After Trump threatened to attack Iran, a scramble to stop him

Soon after President Donald Trump posted Thursday morning that he would hit Iran “VERY HARD TONIGHT,” leaders from Gulf and South Asian countries called the president in a last-ditch effort to change his mind. They assured him a preliminary agreement that paves the way for more detailed talks was, in fact, at hand.

The calls, which have not been previously reported, came from Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Pakistani defense chief Asim Munir, according to two administration officials and a diplomat briefed on the calls. Both were granted anonymity to discuss a sensitive diplomatic mediation.

What appears to be on the table is only an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the U.S. blockade on the vital waterway, according to an Israeli official and a person briefed on the diplomacy. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Congress last week that detailed nuclear discussions would take more time, with opening the Strait of Hormuz being a first step. Harder discussions over Iran’s nuclear program would come later.

As part of the negotiations, the U.S. and Iran have discussed giving Tehran access to restricted funds held in Qatar and elsewhere that could total more than $16 billion, according to a European official and another person briefed on the talks granted anonymity to describe the contours of negotiations.