U.S. President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he would order American forces to halt new strikes against Iran, stating that Middle East allies had reached the parameters of a deal intended to end the five-month conflict.
Trump posted on social media that the emerging agreement would include "the Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat." He added, "Based on this request, 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."
According to Trump, Israel agreed to join the U.S. in pursuing the agreement with Iran. Iran had not issued an immediate public response to the announcement.
The president's statement marked a shift after he had suggested a day earlier that the U.S. was close to resuming significant military strikes to compel Tehran to negotiations. The U.S. and Israel initiated military action against Iran on February 28, with stated objectives including dismantling Tehran's missile capabilities, preventing it from acquiring nuclear weapons, and ceasing its support for allied armed groups. However, the defined goals and timelines for the conflict have varied, and a prior agreement in mid-June to cease hostilities collapsed within weeks.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's de facto leader, spoke with Trump by phone on Saturday and expressed concerns about a potential escalation of conflict with Iran, according to a person familiar with the discussion. This call occurred before Trump's social media announcement.
The Saudi leadership is concerned that Tehran could retaliate with attacks on the kingdom's energy infrastructure and that of other Gulf nations. The crown prince sought clarification from Trump regarding any new actions he was considering against Iran. A White House official confirmed the leaders spoke but provided no further details.
Iran has engaged in repeated attacks on vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz without authorization as part of the ongoing conflict with the U.S. The State Department issued security advisories on Saturday for U.S. citizens in Bahrain, Israel, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, warning of potential flight cancellations, airspace closures, and other travel disruptions.