Trump cancels Iran strikes, conditions deal on Hormuz and nuclear curbs
US President Donald Trump has announced the cancellation of military strikes against Iran, saying he is open to a rapid agreement with Tehran provided it meets specific conditions. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the attack was called off after requests from Iran and other Middle Eastern countries to allow time for diplomacy.
"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 wrote on Sunday.
The president said the decision was taken alongside Israel, but gave no further details about the planned strikes. US media reports suggested Washington was considering intensive action over the weekend in response to Iran's advancing nuclear programme and its repeated threats to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran reacted sharply to the earlier reports, accusing the United States of escalating tensions. A statement from Tehran warned that any regional state cooperating with Washington would be "engulfed by the flames of war." Officials did not elaborate on what form such cooperation might take.
Trump outlined his conditions for any deal, saying it must include the "Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran's nuclear threat." The strait is a strategically vital waterway through which about a fifth of the world's oil passes. Iran has previously threatened to close it if its interests are threatened, a move that would have severe consequences for global energy markets.
The United States also issued a security alert for American citizens across the Middle East, urging them to exercise caution and be prepared for possible evacuation. The alert, published on Saturday, advised citizens to prepare for flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures, and other travel disruptions should there be escalation in the region.
The announcement comes after months of rising tensions between Washington and Tehran, particularly over Iran's nuclear activities. Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear programme is peaceful, but international inspectors have reported advances in uranium enrichment that go beyond limits set under the 2015 nuclear deal, from which the US withdrew in 2018. Diplomatic efforts to revive the agreement have stalled.
Trump's decision to cancel the strikes, while keeping the threat of military action alive, reflects his stated preference for negotiation backed by pressure. However, it remains unclear whether Iran will accept his conditions. Tehran has previously insisted that any talks must include the lifting of sanctions and a guarantee of its right to peaceful nuclear energy.
The international community will be watching closely to see whether this opening leads to real negotiations or whether it is a temporary pause in an escalating confrontation. Meanwhile, residents and travelers in the region are advised to stay informed through official channels and heed government directives.
This is a developing story, and more details are expected to emerge in the coming hours.
