Trump Halts Iran Strikes, Citing Impending Deal; Tehran Remains Cautious

U.S. President Donald Trump announced the cancellation of planned strikes against Iran, stating that an agreement was close to being finalized and potentially signed over the weekend in Europe. Trump indicated that Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, had approved the agreement's text.

However, Iran's Foreign Ministry adopted a more reserved stance, emphasizing that no final decision had been made and dismissing the reports as "speculation." The ministry also accused the United States of constantly changing its negotiating positions. Trump also rescinded a threat to seize the island of Hark, declaring the matter "off the table" following the announcement of the near-finalized deal.

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The American military was three hours away from launching attacks against Iran when Trump canceled the attacks.

These developments followed two nights of reciprocal attacks between the U.S. and Iran. Washington described its operations as "self-defense strikes," while Tehran responded by targeting U.S. bases in the Middle East. Iran claimed to have struck a U.S. warship and closed the Strait of Hormuz, assertions that the U.S. denied. Trump stated that Tehran had requested a halt to the attacks, a claim Iranian officials refuted.

According to NBC News, citing two U.S. officials, the American military was just three hours away from initiating strikes against Iran when President Trump ordered them to stand down. The officials indicated that the military had received the necessary orders. Trump's post on Truth Social stated he canceled the attack because "discussions and final points have been approved, in general and in detail, by all involved parties."

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discussions and final points have been approved, in general and in detail, by all involved parties.