On a Saturday evening social media post, President Donald Trump claimed that Middle Eastern allies have established the framework for a deal aimed at ending the ongoing Iran war. Trump indicated that for now, he would refrain from ordering new military strikes in the five-month-old conflict. He asserted that the proposed deal would facilitate the immediate reopening of the Hormuz Strait and would address Iran's nuclear threat.
In his announcement, Trump stated, "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." He noted that Israel has also committed to collaborating with the U.S. to finalize the agreement, which is aimed at bringing an end to hostilities with Iran. Despite Trump's announcement, Iran's government did not respond immediately.
This declaration represents another significant shift in the course of the conflict, particularly following Trump's previous comments suggesting that he was nearing a decision to initiate heavy military strikes aimed at compelling the Iranian regime to negotiate. The U.S. and Israel initiated military action against Iran on February 28, which Trump described as an effort to dismantle Tehran’s missile capabilities, prevent its acquisition of nuclear weapons, and eliminate support for allied armed groups. Throughout this period, the objectives and timelines of the conflict have seen numerous alterations.
An interim agreement established in mid-June temporarily suspended the fighting, with the intention of paving the way for a permanent resolution; however, it fell apart within weeks as Iran resumed its attacks on maritime shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump's announcement followed a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who expressed concerns regarding potential escalations in the conflict with Iran. During their discussion, the crown prince sought reassurance from Trump about the possible new military actions being contemplated, especially concerning attacks on energy infrastructure which might provoke a retaliatory response from Iran targeting Gulf states.
A White House official confirmed that Trump and the crown prince communicated on Saturday, although no specifics regarding their conversation were disclosed. Earlier in the week, Saudi Arabia had collaborated with the U.S. in launching strikes against logistics and weapon sites utilized by Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, while simultaneously advocating for renewed negotiations between the U.S. and Iran to find a resolution to the conflict.
Notably, Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, marking their first in-person meeting since the conflict's escalation. Netanyahu has consistently urged the U.S. to intensify its military efforts against Iran. Despite the escalating conflict's unpopularity in the U.S. and its economic ramifications just months before crucial midterm elections in November, Trump has expressed frustration over the situation, reiterating his commitment to decisively address the Iranian threat.
U.S. officials maintained a state of alert prior to Trump’s Saturday evening statement, wherein he remarked that the U.S. military was "locked and loaded" and ready to demonstrate military strength not witnessed since World War II. Concurrently, the U.S. State Department issued security alerts urging Americans in ten countries within the region to exercise caution amid heightened tensions with Iran.
In related developments, the military of Kuwait reported responding to drone attacks attributed to Iran that targeted vital facilities in northern Kuwait, though no casualties were reported. The British Navy confirmed that two separate maritime incidents occurred in the Strait of Hormuz, involving a tanker strike and an explosion near another vessel, neither resulting in casualties.
