US President Donald Trump on Saturday claimed that the United States and Israel have agreed to suspend planned military strikes on Iran after receiving requests from Tehran and several Middle Eastern countries to allow diplomatic negotiations to continue.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said discussions had progressed to the point where the outlines of a potential agreement had been established. According to him, the proposed deal would include the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes—which has remained largely restricted by Iran since the conflict began on February 28. He also claimed the agreement would address concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme.
Trump said the US military remains fully prepared to launch operations if necessary but added that he had decided to postpone any attack in the hope that negotiations would lead to a lasting agreement.
He further stated that Israel, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has joined Washington in supporting the diplomatic effort, expressing hope that both allies could help bring the conflict to an end through negotiations rather than military action.
Reports Suggested New Military Action Was Being Considered
Trump’s announcement came a day after he warned that Iran could face a powerful military response if diplomatic efforts failed. Speaking during a Cabinet meeting at Camp David on Friday, he said the United States was prepared to strike Iran “very hard” if required.
US media reports later indicated that Washington had been considering a fresh military campaign. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump had instructed the military to prepare new strikes aimed at increasing pressure on Tehran.
Meanwhile, CBS News reported that the United States and Israel had been coordinating potential attacks on Iran’s energy-related infrastructure. However, the report said Trump had not yet given final approval for the operation.
Had the plan gone ahead, it would have marked Israel’s first direct participation in military operations against Iran since the opening phase of the current conflict.
Background to the Conflict
The latest development comes after previous diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran failed to produce a lasting ceasefire.
Earlier this year, both countries had reached a preliminary understanding intended to halt military operations and work toward a broader peace agreement within 60 days. However, tensions escalated again after the United States resumed military action, accusing Iran of threatening commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded by launching attacks on American military facilities in Gulf countries.
The fragile agreement eventually collapsed in July after Trump declared it was no longer in effect, while Iranian authorities accused Washington of violating its commitments and suspended the memorandum of understanding.
For now, the planned military action appears to have been put on hold. Whether the latest diplomatic efforts succeed in preventing further escalation remains uncertain, with developments in the coming days expected to shape the next phase of the Middle East conflict.
