US President Donald Trump says he has cancelled planned military strikes against Iran, provided a peace agreement is reached “rapidly.”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed Iran and several Middle Eastern countries had asked the United States to delay military action because negotiators had already agreed on the broad framework of a deal.
He described the decision as an opportunity to avoid further conflict while giving diplomacy another chance.
Iran, however, has not confirmed requesting fresh negotiations or agreeing to the outline of any deal to end the conflict.
Trump’s announcement followed reports that the United States and Israel had been considering a new wave of major strikes. Allegedly targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure.
According to CBS News, discussions about the proposed military campaign took place during Friday’s US cabinet meeting. The US government had also advised American citizens across the Middle East to remain alert. Also advising them to prepare for possible evacuation should tensions escalate.
In his social media post, Trump said the US military was “locked and loaded” and ready to launch attacks at a scale “not seen since World War II.”
He argued that postponing military action would benefit global stability while giving Iran a chance to secure “a successful and prosperous future.”
Similarities With April
The latest development mirrors Trump’s approach earlier this year. In April, he warned that “a whole civilisation will die tonight” unless Iran entered peace negotiations. Further threatening attacks on civilian infrastructure and power plants. These remarks were widely criticised by legal experts and human rights groups.
Those warnings eventually led to direct talks between American and Iranian officials in Pakistan, led by US Vice President JD Vance. While supporters viewed the strategy as successful pressure diplomacy, the negotiations ultimately ended without a breakthrough. All because both sides failed to reconcile their key demands.
Reports from Friday’s cabinet meeting suggested Trump still favoured a hard-line approach.
According to CBS News, the president was heard telling aides that Iran would eventually conclude it “just can’t take it anymore.”
Regional leaders have continued efforts to prevent further escalation. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke with Trump on Saturday. He stressed the need for dialogue and urged all parties to pursue a ceasefire that could create room for diplomatic solutions. Several Gulf states remain concerned that any wider conflict would expose countries such as Bahrain, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates to Iranian missile attacks. Attacks against critical infrastructure like desalination plants.
Fighting between Washington and Tehran has intensified since the collapse of a ceasefire in June. The United States has maintained a blockade of Iranian ports and carried out airstrikes. Iran, however, has launched missiles and drones at US military assets across the Middle East. They have also targeted commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The prolonged confrontation has contributed to sharp swings in global oil prices. Trump also faces growing political pressure at home.
According to the Pew Research Center, around 60% of Americans oppose the war with Iran. Concerns are mounting that a wider conflict could drive up fuel prices and further affect the US economy ahead of next year’s midterm elections.
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