President Donald Trump confirmed he called off a large-scale military strike against Iran this past weekend, stating that allies in the Middle East had convinced him a deal with Tehran was close.
Trump announced on his Truth Social platform Saturday evening that while the U.S. was "locked and loaded" to launch an attack, he halted the action in pursuit of a peace agreement. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One on Sunday, Trump elaborated that Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Iran had requested a pause in strikes, suggesting a potential deal was imminent.
"When the allies asked to call it off, you gotta say, 'Well, let's see.' Allies think there is a deal," Trump told the press. "Talks with the Iranians are scheduled to begin tomorrow."
According to Trump, the planned U.S. operation would have been "the biggest attack since World War II" and "disastrous" for Iran. He indicated that a desire to avoid casualties and potential refugee crises influenced his decision.
"I'm not looking to kill people. People die, a lot of people die and we don't want that," Trump said. He also noted that an attack could lead to a scenario where allies' countries are "flooded with people pouring into their country and disaster."
Trump suggested that any potential deal would encompass Iran's nuclear program, which he referred to as "the denuclearization of Iran," and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Recent reports indicated conflicting information regarding the authorization of strikes. The Wall Street Journal and CBS News cited sources suggesting Trump had already approved strikes set to begin as early as Saturday evening. However, Axios reported that Trump had not yet given final orders.
On Friday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that President Trump had grown frustrated with negotiations, citing Iran's actions after a memorandum of understanding was signed last month, including alleged attacks on commercial ships and the killing of American soldiers. Leavitt asserted that "Iran will continue to pay until they come to the table in, what President Trump deems, a meaningful way."
In response to previous threats from Trump, Iranian state-affiliated news agencies had indicated potential targets including energy infrastructure tied to U.S. and Israeli militaries, with a senior security official telling Tasnim News that the IRGC had prepared "extensive response plans."
Trump has previously asserted U.S. control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which over a fifth of global crude oil typically passes. U.S. Central Command has recently imposed a naval blockade in the area, involving redirecting, boarding, and disabling commercial vessels.