Trump cancels Iran strikes, says deal can be made 'rapidly'

President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he had cancelled planned military strikes against Iran, saying that a deal could be reached "rapidly" after requests from Tehran and other Middle Eastern nations to hold off. In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed the "perimeters" of an agreement had been established, including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the end of Iran's nuclear threat. He cautioned, however, that the United States remained "locked and loaded" and prepared to attack at levels of force not seen since World War II.

Trump's announcement and conditions

The US president said the decision to stand down came after Iran and other countries in the region asked him to pause any offensive. He asserted that the outlines of a potential deal were already in place, focusing on maritime access through the vital oil artery and the dismantling of Tehran's nuclear programme. Trump did not provide a timeline for the expected agreement but stressed that it needed to happen "rapidly" for the benefit of the world and Iran's future prosperity.

His social media post followed reports from US media that Washington was planning a new wave of intense strikes against Iranian targets over the weekend. CBS News, citing multiple sources, said that the US and Israel were preparing what could be one of the harshest bombing campaigns to date, aimed at energy infrastructure. The plans were reportedly discussed during a cabinet meeting on Friday, with Trump heard telling reporters, "We'll be hitting them very hard. At some point, they're going to say, 'We just can't take it anymore.'"

Escalating tensions and military planning

The announcement comes amid a volatile period of strikes and counter-strikes between Washington and Tehran. A ceasefire that paused the conflict in April fell apart in June, leading to a sharp increase in hostilities. Earlier this week, the US said it completed a "heavy wave" of strikes in retaliation for an attempted ballistic missile attack on American forces in the region. Since late February, the US has blockaded Iranian ports and bombed military sites, while Iran has launched missiles and drones at US assets across the Middle East and targeted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

The looming offensive, had it proceeded, would have targeted critical energy infrastructure, a move with potentially profound implications for global oil markets. Prices have already fluctuated significantly since the outbreak of war on 28 February, and any further disruption could have sent shockwaves through the global economy.

Region on edge and diplomatic pressure

Tehran has yet to respond to Trump's latest statement. However, earlier on Saturday, Iranian officials accused the United States of escalating tensions and warned that any regional state cooperating with Washington would be "engulfed by the flames of war." That warning appeared directed at Gulf nations, some of which host US military bases.

Diplomatic pressure on Trump to show restraint may have played a role. Axios reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke with Trump on Saturday and expressed concern about the potential strikes. The call was also confirmed by Reuters. The US government, meanwhile, issued a security alert urging American citizens across the Middle East to remain vigilant and be prepared for possible flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions should the situation escalate.

Background to the conflict and what's next

The conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran has its roots in a long-standing confrontation over Iran's nuclear programme and its regional influence. The current round of fighting began in late February, with coordinated US-Israeli strikes. Since then, the conflict has expanded, with Iran targeting US assets in neighbouring countries and using its proxies to disrupt maritime traffic.

The ceasefire in April briefly raised hopes of a de-escalation, but its collapse in June reignited hostilities. The US has since tightened its blockade on Iranian ports, aimed at cutting off revenue streams, while Iran has responded with a barrage of drones and missiles. The targeting of the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of global oil passes, has been a key flashpoint.

Trump's decision to call off the strikes now leaves many questions unanswered. It remains unclear whether a deal can be reached quickly enough to satisfy the president's stated deadline. Iran has not publicly confirmed that negotiations are underway, and the specifics of any agreement have not been disclosed. If talks falter, Trump's warning that the US is "locked and loaded" suggests military action could resume at short notice.

For now, the region remains on edge, with the US advising its citizens to be ready to leave at a moment's notice. The coming days will be critical in determining whether this abrupt shift in course leads to a genuine diplomatic breakthrough or merely a temporary pause in an increasingly destructive conflict.