President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he has called off imminent military strikes on Iran, saying a tentative agreement was within reach and urging that it be finalized “rapidly.”
Writing on Truth Social, Trump said Iran and several Middle Eastern nations had personally asked him to “hold off,” claiming the broad outlines of a deal were already in place. That agreement, he said, would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and dismantle Iran’s nuclear ambitions for good.
The reprieve comes after American media reported Washington had quietly prepared one of its most punishing bombing campaigns yet, aimed at Iranian energy infrastructure. The plan reportedly surfaced during a tense Friday cabinet meeting, where Trump was overheard warning that Iran would eventually say, “We just can’t take it anymore.”
Just a day earlier, Tehran had accused the U.S. of pouring fuel on the fire, warning that any nation aiding Washington would be “engulfed by the flames of war.” The State Department, meanwhile, told Americans across the region to stay alert and ready to flee at a moment’s notice.
Trump insisted the U.S. remains “locked and loaded,” capable of unleashing force “not seen since World War II” but framed his decision to stand down as a gesture toward peace, “for the future benefit of the world” and Iran’s own survival.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly called Trump on Saturday to voice concern over the looming strikes, according to Axios and Reuters.
Iran has not yet responded. The fragile truce follows months of tit-for-tat attacks since April’s ceasefire collapsed in June.
