Trump Says He Is Cancelling Strikes on Iran Amid Deal Talks
Ninoda.com – Trump says he is cancelling strikes against Iran, announcing that military action would be halted if a comprehensive agreement could be reached “rapidly” with Tehran. In a Truth Social post, the US president declared he had decided to “cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL” with the Islamic Republic. This potential agreement would encompass the immediate opening of the Strait of Hormuz and a definitive end to “Iran’s nuclear threat.” Trump emphasized that this pivotal decision had been coordinated alongside Israel, signaling unified American-Israeli strategy in the region.
Regional Tensions and Diplomatic Efforts
The announcement arrived amid widespread US media reports suggesting Washington had been preparing new, intense strikes on Iran over the weekend. Earlier, Tehran had accused the United States of escalating regional tensions, warning that any Middle Eastern state co-operating with Washington would be “engulfed by the flames of war.” In his Truth Social message, Trump conveyed America’s readiness, stating the US was “locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II.”
However, Trump explained that he had cancelled the strikes after being “asked” by Iran and other Middle Eastern nations to “hold off” on any attack to allow diplomatic channels to work. He appeared to indicate that meaningful progress toward an agreement had already been achieved, noting that the “perimeters of a deal has been agreed to.” The proposed settlement would include the “Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT,” alongside measures to neutralize Iran’s nuclear capabilities, according to the president’s statement.
“We’ll be hitting them [Iranians] very hard. At some point, they’re going to say, ‘We just can’t take it anymore.'” — Trump during Friday’s cabinet meeting
Iran has not yet issued an official response to Trump’s announcement. Meanwhile, the US government had previously urged Americans living across the Middle East to remain alert and prepared to evacuate “should there be escalation” in the region. The security alert issued on Saturday specifically advised: “Americans currently in the Middle East should exercise caution and heightened vigilance and should be prepared for flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures, and potential travel disruptions.”
According to multiple sources speaking to CBS News, the BBC’s media partner in America, the United States and Israel were planning what would represent one of the most severe bombing campaigns to date against Iranian energy infrastructure targets. This strategic plan was discussed during Trump’s cabinet meeting on Friday, where sources told CBS News that the president was heard declaring his intentions while reporters remained in the room.
Axios reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held a phone conversation with Trump on Saturday, during which he “expressed concern” about the potential military strikes. Reuters also confirmed coverage of this diplomatic call. Washington and Tehran have been engaged in escalating strikes and counter-strikes since a ceasefire established in April, which was designed to pause the conflict but ultimately fell apart in June, reigniting hostilities between the two nations.
Earlier this week, the United States announced it had completed a “heavy wave” of strikes against Iran in direct retaliation for an attempted ballistic missile attack on American forces stationed in the region. The US has simultaneously blockaded Iranian ports and bombed Iranian military sites, while Iran has responded by firing missiles and drones at US assets across multiple Middle Eastern countries and targeting commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil transportation. The US and Israel commenced their coordinated strikes against Iran on 28 February, with the outbreak of war causing significant fluctuations in international oil prices.
US urges its citizens in Middle East to be ready to leave in case of escalation. Why limited war with the US may suit Iran better than peace.
