Donald Trump has said he called off planned military strikes on Iran because he believes a deal on its nuclear program and the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz could be reached quickly.
The US president paused the strikes, expecting a breakthrough, and also acted in response to requests from Iran and other countries in the region, he claimed on his Truth Social platform on Saturday.
“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.”
The deal would include the immediate and complete reopening of the strait and “an end to Iran’s nuclear threat,” he posted. This marked the latest step back from his earlier aggressive threats to strike the Islamic Republic during the months-long conflict.
However, hopes for a breakthrough faded on Sunday when Iran’s Mehr news agency said Trump’s claim that Tehran had asked for a pause “was nothing but a new lie” and that the Iranian armed forces were “on high alert and ready for any eventuality.”
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Another Iranian news agency, Fars, citing a source close to Iranian negotiators, said that as long as the US “maintains its hostile actions,” the strait would remain closed.
The decision to halt fresh strikes came after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called Trump on Saturday to express concerns, according to reports. Trump’s reversal also followed Iranian threats to retaliate decisively against its neighbors if the US launched strikes. Meanwhile, Kuwait reported being hit by Iranian drones on Saturday, and two ships were attacked off Oman in the Strait of Hormuz.
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Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman (right), called Trump on Saturday to express concerns about strikes on Iran. Photograph: Mark Schiefelbein/AP
One source described as having knowledge of the Trump-Prince Mohammed call told Axios that the Saudi crown prince had “urged Trump to de-escalate and refrain from launching the strikes.”
The Associated Press (AP) also reported the conversation, citing its own source. It said the Saudis were concerned that if the US targeted Iran’s energy infrastructure or carried out massive strikes on other key infrastructure, Tehran could respond by carrying out similar attacks on the kingdom and other Gulf countries.
The crown prince during Saturday’s call sought clarity from Trump on what potential new action he was considering against Iran, AP reported.
A White House official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and requested anonymity, confirmed to AP that Trump and Prince Mohammed spoke on Saturday but did not offer any detail about the substance of their conversation.
Saudi Arabia earlier this week joined the US in striking logistics and weapons sites used by Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, but has been urging the US and Iran to return to the negotiating table.
CBS News reported that the US and Israel were planning joint strikes, possibly throughout the weekend, with oil refineries and power plants among possible targets.
Tehran warned this weekend against any “adventurous action” by the US and said it would retaliate decisively. Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi made comments in separate phone calls on Saturday with senior Turkish, Pakistani, and Saudi officials, just hours after Kuwait’s army said it destroyed hostile drones launched by Iran against several vital facilities.
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Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, on Friday. Photograph: Reuters
A government facility in northern Kuwait and civilian property belonging to a company on Bubiyan Island were hit, with falling shrapnel causing material damage but no casualties, the Kuwaiti army said.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said on Saturday it hThe U.S. received reports of two maritime incidents near Oman. In one, a tanker was hit by an unknown projectile that damaged its engine room. In the other, the tanker’s captain reported seeing a large splash and an explosion near the vessel, but no damage was reported.
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Iran’s Araghchi told regional counterparts that any attacks by the U.S. and Israel, or involvement by regional countries in such actions, would be met with a “proportionate response.” Nournews, a media outlet linked to Iran’s top security body, said on Saturday that U.S. strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure would lead to Iranian attacks on oilfields in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as well as gasfields in Qatar and Israel.
These developments seemed to give Trump pause. On Saturday night, he posted in his typical dramatic style that “the USA is locked and loaded” to strike Iran with “military terror, strength, and power not seen since World War II.”
Reuters, Agence France-Presse, and Associated Press contributed to this report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on the news topic written in a natural tone with clear simple answers
General Background Questions
1 Wait what exactly happened Did Trump order strikes or not
He was reportedly ready to launch military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in retaliation for Iran shooting down a US drone At the last minute he called it off He confirmed the strikes were cocked and loaded but decided against them
2 Why did he back down at the last minute
Trump said he was told that the strikes would have killed about 150 people which he felt was a disproportionate response to shooting down an unmanned drone He decided it wasnt a proportionate move
3 I keep hearing he expects a deal soon What kind of deal is he talking about
Hes talking about a new nuclear agreement with Iran He wants to negotiate a deal that would prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon similar to the 2015 deal but with stricter terms He believes his tough stance will push Iran to the negotiating table
4 Is this the same as the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal
Not exactly Trump pulled the US out of that deal in 2018 Hes saying he wants a new and better deal The old one was set to expire and he felt it didnt cover enough issues like Irans missile program
Strategy Motives
5 Is this a sign of weakness or is it a clever strategy
Thats the big debate His critics say it makes the US look indecisive and weak His supporters say its a smart madman strategyshowing youre willing to strike but showing restraint to look like the reasonable one which can force the other side to negotiate
6 Didnt he just put sanctions on Iran Why talk about a deal now
Yes the sanctions are the pressure part of his strategy The idea is to make Irans economy suffer so badly that they have no choice but to come to the table The threat of strikes is the military pressure on top of that
7 What does cocked and loaded actually mean in this context
It means the military had the planes in the air and the ships in position
