Trump calls off Iran attack, says deal is near

President Donald Trump announced Saturday night that he has called off a planned military strike on Iran, citing substantial progress in negotiations between the two countries. The decision, shared on Truth Social, caps a week of mounting speculation that the U.S. was preparing to hit Iranian infrastructure in an effort to force Tehran to agree to American terms in ceasefire talks.

A last-minute turnaround

In his statement, Trump said he agreed to cancel the attack for the future benefit of the world and the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, adding that the move was subject to being able to rapidly make a deal. He explained that Iran and other Middle Eastern countries had asked the U.S. to hold off because the perimeters of a deal had been agreed to. The president also referenced specific elements that would be part of any agreement, including the immediate, complete, and total opening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to Iran's nuclear threat.

The reversal came just hours after reports that U.S. officials were considering strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure, and Israel had been expected to join in a large-scale operation. Trump's post did not outline a timetable for negotiations, but his language suggested that military action remained a possibility if diplomacy fails.

Regional leaders push for de-escalation

The decision followed a Saturday phone call between Trump and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, during which the crown prince reportedly expressed concern about the strike plans. Other regional powers, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Pakistan, have also urged both the U.S. and Iran to step back from the brink. Their involvement underscores the geopolitical stakes, as an attack on Iran's infrastructure could disrupt oil markets and trigger a wider conflict.

Iran has also sent a clear warning. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told his Saudi counterpart that any hostile action by the U.S. or Israel, or cooperation by regional countries in such an action, would be met with a decisive and proportionate response from Iran's armed forces. The message was delivered through diplomatic channels and later shared on Araghchi's Telegram account.

A history of stop-start diplomacy

Trump has repeatedly paused military operations to negotiate with Iran, only to resume strikes when it appeared diplomacy was stalling. The pattern has left the region on edge, with each episode escalating tensions. An attack on Iran's infrastructure would mark a significant escalation in a conflict that has already seen repeated exchanges. The president's latest move suggests his administration sees a potential path to a deal, but the details remain vague.

The framework that Trump referenced—including the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the neutralization of Iran's nuclear program—would represent major concessions from Tehran. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital artery for global oil shipments, and Iran has previously threatened to close it under pressure. The nuclear question has been a long-standing point of contention, with Western powers seeking guarantees that Iran cannot develop atomic weapons.

What happens next

The cancellation of the attack does not mean the threat has lifted. Trump's explicit condition that the cancellation depends on the ability to rapidly make a deal leaves the door open for military action if negotiations fall apart. The next few days will likely see intensified diplomatic activity as both sides attempt to translate the agreed perimeters into a concrete agreement. If successful, the deal could mark a turning point in U.S.-Iran relations and stabilize the region. If it unravels, the original strike plans could be reactivated, bringing the world back to the edge of a major conflict.