President Donald Trump canceled planned military strikes against Iran on Saturday, saying a deal framework had been agreed that would include reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending Iran’s nuclear threat, according to a post on Truth Social.
Trump claimed Iran and other Middle Eastern countries asked the United States to “hold off” on the attack because the “perimeters” of a deal had been agreed. He said the cancellation would be “for the future benefit of the world and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran.”
The decision came after US media reported that Washington had been planning what would be one of the harshest bombing campaigns to date against Iranian energy infrastructure, according to CBS News. The plan was discussed during a Friday cabinet meeting at which Trump was heard saying, “We’ll be hitting them [Iranians] very hard.”
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke to Trump on Saturday and expressed concern about the potential strikes, according to Axios and Reuters. The call appeared to influence the decision to pause military action.
Months of Escalation After Earlier Deal Collapsed
The cancellation represents a dramatic reversal following months of escalating military action. The US and Iran had agreed to a ceasefire framework in April 2026, but that agreement fell apart in June, triggering renewed strikes and counter-strikes.
Since the ceasefire collapsed, the US has blockaded Iranian ports and bombed Iranian sites, while Iran has fired missiles and drones at US assets across the Middle East and targeted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil shipping, according to the BBC. The US and Israel began launching strikes against Iran on February 28, with the outbreak of war leading to significant fluctuations in oil prices.
Earlier this week, the US said it completed a “heavy wave” of strikes against Iran in retaliation for an attempted ballistic missile attack on American forces in the region. The announcement of the deal framework came as both sides signaled a willingness to return to the negotiating table after months of military escalation.
The US government also issued a security alert urging Americans across the Middle East to be alert and ready to leave “should there be escalation” in the region, warning of potential “flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures, and potential travel disruptions.”
Trump said the US remained “locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran” if negotiations failed to produce a rapid agreement. Iran has not yet responded to Trump’s announcement as of Saturday.
Sources
- BBC — Trump’s cancellation of strikes, the framework terms, and context on escalating military action since the ceasefire collapse
- CBS News — Details on the planned bombing campaign against Iranian energy infrastructure and the Friday cabinet meeting
- Axios — Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s phone call with Trump expressing concern about strikes
- Reuters — Confirmation of the Saudi Crown Prince’s call to Trump
