US President Donald Trump announced that he had decided to call off the planned attack on Iran after what he described as the outlines of a new agreement between the sides were reached. Trump said the emerging understandings included the immediate and full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to the Iranian nuclear threat. He added that Israel had also committed to refraining from an attack at this stage.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that the United States had been "The U.S.A. is 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." He said the emerging arrangement included the immediate and full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to the Iranian nuclear threat.
"I have agreed, for the future benefit of the WORLD and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL," Trump wrote, adding that Israel had joined the commitment. "Get to work, everybody, and get it DONE."
Iran, however, quickly rejected Trump's account. Mohammad Marandi, a commentator affiliated with the Iranian regime and a former adviser to Tehran's nuclear negotiating team, responded: "By now everyone knows this is fake news. Trump backed down."
Saudi pressure to curb escalation
Axios reported earlier that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had spoken with Trump and expressed concern over plans for extensive strikes in Iran. According to a source familiar with the details of the conversation, bin Salman urged the US president to work to ease tensions and refrain from carrying out the attack. Another US official said the Saudis had "expressed concern and requested clarification regarding the planned course of action."
The Saudi message was also conveyed by Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman, who met in Washington with US Vice President JD Vance and made clear that Riyadh wanted to de-escalate tensions with Iran. At the same time, Qatar and other countries in the region engaged with Washington and Tehran in an effort to advance understandings and prevent further escalation.
