Washington: US President Donald Trump has claimed that the United States has suspended planned military strikes against Iran after receiving a request from Tehran and several Middle Eastern nations to allow diplomatic efforts to continue. However, he made it clear that the decision is conditional and depends on a swift conclusion to a broader agreement.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said the framework of a potential deal had already been discussed and expressed optimism that it could pave the way for easing regional tensions.
According to Trump, the proposed agreement would include the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz—a crucial global oil shipping route—and measures aimed at eliminating concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme.
He stated that the US had agreed to hold back military action after being approached by Iran and other countries in the region, but cautioned that the pause would remain in place only if negotiations moved forward quickly and resulted in a final agreement.
Despite signalling a willingness to pursue diplomacy, Trump also reiterated that the US military remains fully prepared to launch operations if talks collapse. He asserted that American forces are ready to respond with overwhelming strength should negotiations fail.
Trump further claimed that Israel has agreed to support efforts to conclude the proposed agreement and bring an end to the months-long conflict in the region. However, Israeli authorities had not issued any official statement confirming his remarks at the time of reporting.
Meanwhile, tensions remain high across the Middle East. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi warned that Tehran would respond firmly to any military action by the United States or its allies. During separate conversations with senior officials from Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, Araqchi reportedly said any aggression against Iran would be met with an appropriate response and cautioned against actions that could further destabilise the region.
Iranian officials also warned that attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure could trigger retaliatory strikes against strategic oil and gas facilities in neighbouring countries, raising concerns about the security of energy supplies across the Gulf.
Adding to the diplomatic activity, reports quoting a US official said Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had spoken with President Trump to seek clarification over Washington’s intentions regarding Iran, reflecting growing regional concern over the possibility of a wider conflict.
While Trump’s announcement has raised hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough, uncertainty remains as no formal agreement has yet been announced. The coming days are expected to be crucial in determining whether negotiations succeed or whether the region faces another escalation in hostilities.
