President Donald Trump announced Saturday evening that he has halted anticipated strikes against Iran, citing a potential agreement that could lead to the swift reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to Iran's nuclear threats. Trump stated on Truth Social that while he remained prepared to launch an attack, the pause is in consideration of reaching a peace deal.
This decision followed reports that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged Trump to de-escalate tensions between the U.S. and Iran. The Crown Prince reportedly advised Trump to defuse the situation after days of escalating threats between the two nations.
Trump indicated that Iran and other Middle Eastern countries had requested a hold on any attack, suggesting that the parameters of a deal had been agreed upon. "This would include the Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat," Trump wrote on Truth Social. He added that he agreed to cancel the attack "subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL," and that Israel also supports this commitment.
The White House had previously expressed frustration with negotiations. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on Friday that Iran had broken a memorandum of understanding signed the previous month, subsequently attacking commercial ships and killing American soldiers. "President Trump is not going to stand by and allow this terrorist behavior to occur," Leavitt said. "Iran will continue to pay until they come to the table in, what President Trump deems, a meaningful way."
In response to Trump's threats to target Iran's infrastructure, Iranian state-affiliated news agencies reported that Iran intended to target energy infrastructure linked to the U.S. and Israeli militaries. A senior security official told Tasnim News that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had prepared "extensive response plans."
Trump has frequently asserted U.S. control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which a significant portion of global crude oil passes. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has implemented a naval blockade, rerouting commercial vessels and conducting inspections.
Conflicting reports emerged in the days leading up to Trump's reversal. While The Wall Street Journal and CBS News reported that Trump had approved strikes potentially starting as early as Saturday evening and lasting for several days, Axios reported that final orders had not yet been given, leaving the situation uncertain.