Trump Cancels Planned US strikes on Iran as Peace Talks Progress

Trump Cancels US strikes on Iran as Hopes Rise for Rapid Peace Deal

US President Donald Trump says he has stopped a planned military attack on Iran after Tehran and several Middle Eastern countries urged Washington to allow more time for negotiations. However, he warned that the decision of US strikes on Iran depends on an agreement being completed quickly.

President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will not proceed with planned strikes against Iran after regional governments reported progress towards a possible agreement to reduce tensions and end the five-month conflict.

In a statement posted on Truth Social on Saturday evening, Trump said Iran and other Middle Eastern countries had asked the US to hold back from US strikes on Iran because the broad outline of a deal had been agreed.

He said he had cancelled the planned operation for the benefit of the international community and Iran’s future. However, he made clear that the decision was conditional on the parties reaching a final agreement rapidly.

What could the proposed agreement include?

According to Trump, the possible agreement would include the immediate and complete reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

The narrow waterway between Iran and Oman is one of the most important shipping routes in the world. Disruption there has affected commercial vessels, energy markets and relations between Iran, the United States and Gulf countries.

Trump also claimed that the proposed agreement would bring an end to what he described as Iran’s nuclear threat. He did not provide details about what restrictions Iran would be expected to accept or how any agreement would be monitored.

The US president added that Israel had agreed to work with Washington towards completing the agreement with Iran. Israel has played a central role in the conflict and has previously urged the US to maintain military pressure on Tehran.

Iran did not immediately issue a public response confirming that it had accepted the terms described by Trump. This leaves uncertainty over how close the sides are to signing a final agreement.

Saudi Arabia pressed for restraint

Trump’s announcement followed a telephone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

According to reports, the Saudi leader raised concerns that a major American attack on Iranian power stations, bridges or energy facilities could lead Tehran to retaliate against oil and gas infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries.

A White House official confirmed that Trump and the crown prince had spoken, although the administration did not publish full details of their conversation.

Saudi Arabia has recently taken part in limited strikes against weapons and logistics sites used by Iran-backed groups in Iraq. At the same time, Riyadh has continued to call for negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman also visited Washington during the week for meetings with Trump and Vice-President JD Vance. Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Türkiye and Pakistan have also encouraged both sides to avoid further escalation.

Trump had threatened a major attack

The decision represents a sudden change in tone from the US president.

Only a day earlier, Trump suggested that Washington could soon restart heavy military attacks against Iran. American officials were reportedly considering strikes on infrastructure and energy sites as a way of pressuring Tehran to accept US ceasefire demands.

Trump said the American military was ready to carry out a powerful operation if negotiations failed. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that any attack by the US or Israel, or assistance from regional countries, would receive a forceful response from Iran’s armed forces.

The possibility of new strikes caused concern across the Middle East, where governments feared that an expanded confrontation could damage energy facilities, close airspace and disrupt international shipping.

How did the conflict begin?

The current war began on 28 February when the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran.

Washington said the military operation was intended to weaken Iran’s missile capabilities, prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon and reduce its support for armed groups operating across the region.

However, the aims and timetable of the campaign have changed several times since the fighting began.

An interim agreement reached in June temporarily stopped the fighting and was expected to create space for negotiations on a longer-term settlement.

The agreement collapsed within weeks after Iran resumed attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The breakdown led to renewed American attacks and further Iranian action against US forces and Washington’s regional partners.

Trump had also promised retaliation after US forces reportedly stopped an Iranian attack on an American military base in Jordan. The White House accused Tehran of violating previous commitments by attacking commercial vessels and killing American personnel.

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Fresh attacks reported in the Gulf

Despite the latest diplomatic announcement, security incidents have continued across the region.

Kuwait’s military said it responded to Iranian drone attacks on Saturday. Officials said several important facilities were hit, including a government building in northern Kuwait, although no casualties were reported.

Maritime authorities also reported two incidents near Oman and the Strait of Hormuz.

One tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile, damaging its engine room. A separate vessel reported an explosion nearby while travelling northwest of Khasab. No deaths or injuries were reported in either incident.

These events show that the risk of further escalation remains high even while diplomatic discussions continue.

Travel warnings issued across the region

Before Trump announced that the US strikes on Iran had been cancelled, the US State Department issued security warnings for Americans in ten Middle Eastern countries.

The warnings covered Bahrain, Israel, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

US citizens were advised to prepare for possible flight cancellations, temporary airspace closures and other travel disruption caused by the conflict.

Economic and political pressure on Washington

The conflict has disrupted energy markets, international shipping and regional travel. The possibility of attacks on oil and gas facilities has also raised concerns about higher energy prices and wider damage to the global economy.

The war has become a political challenge for Trump as the United States approaches its November midterm elections. Continued military action is unpopular with many American voters, increasing pressure on the administration to find a diplomatic route out of the conflict.

What happens next?

Trump’s decision of US strikes on Iran has reduced the immediate risk of a large US attack, but it does not guarantee that the fighting is over.

Negotiators must still agree on several difficult issues, including access through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear activities, security guarantees and the future role of Israel.

Iran must also publicly confirm whether it accepts the proposed framework described by Trump.

Until a formal agreement is signed and military activity stops, the situation across the Gulf is likely to remain uncertain. A failure to complete the deal quickly could lead Washington and its allies to reconsider US strikes on Iran action.