President Donald Trump said he will direct U.S. forces to refrain from further attacks on Iran, claiming that Middle East allies have agreed on the basis of a deal to end a war now in its fifth month. He made the announcement in a social media post late Saturday.
Trump wrote that the emerging agreement "will include the IMMEDIATE, COMPLETE AND TOTAL OPENING OF THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ, and the end of Iran's nuclear threat." He added that, for the future benefit of the world and the survival of what he called a successful and prosperous Iran, he had agreed to cancel the attack, subject to a deal being reached quickly.
This is not the first time Trump has announced a pause in the bombing. The United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, and on several occasions since then, announced pauses have fallen apart and fighting has resumed.
Iran's defense minister said on X that the country was "neither surprised nor passive" in response to Trump's announcement, adding that Iran remains on alert against concrete threats from the United States. Iran's leaders appear united behind a war strategy that projects strength and resilience, but a struggle for control seems to be developing within the theocracy's leadership. Some oppose any negotiation with the United States, while others are counting on military pressure to deliver gains at the bargaining table.
A regional official involved in mediation efforts said the proposal calls for the United States and Iran to return to negotiations and keep working through many of the issues that have stalled earlier progress. According to the official, it envisions reopening the Strait of Hormuz and halting attacks across the region, including those by Iran-backed militias in Iraq against Persian Gulf Arab states and Jordan. In exchange, the United States would end its naval blockade of Iran and allow Tehran to export its oil, as laid out in the tentative ceasefire agreement. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press, and said no deal has been reached yet, though mediation is under way.
Trump said Israel is joining his commitment to ending the war by implementing the ceasefire. Israel has not publicly commented on the announcement. On Thursday, Trump also announced a disarmament agreement with Hamas in Gaza, but an Israeli official told The Associated Press on Sunday that Israel has shared "serious security concerns" with the White House about it. Palestinians report a rise in the scale of Israeli strikes across the enclave, with at least 12 people killed overnight and through Sunday afternoon. The Israeli military said the strikes targeted militants.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto leader, spoke by phone with Trump on Saturday and raised concerns that the United States might escalate the conflict with Iran, according to the Saudi press agency. A person briefed on the call, who was not authorized to comment publicly, said the Saudis fear Tehran could retaliate with attacks on energy infrastructure in the kingdom and other Gulf states. The crown prince sought clarification on what new action Trump was weighing against Iran, and the call took place before the social media announcement, the person said. A White House official confirmed the leaders spoke Saturday but gave no details.
Iran has repeatedly attacked vessels trying to transit the Strait of Hormuz without its authorization as part of its ongoing conflict with the United States.
