Iran has rejected United States President Donald Trump’s claim that Tehran asked Washington to suspend planned military strikes, describing the assertion as false.
According to Iran’s Mehr news agency, which cited military officials on Sunday, the allegation was “nothing but a new lie”. The officials added that Iran’s armed forces remained “on high alert and ready for any eventuality.”
The response came after Trump announced that he had cancelled a planned military strike on Iran following what he described as a request from Tehran and other Middle Eastern countries to allow more time for diplomatic negotiations.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the United States had been fully prepared to launch the operation but decided to suspend it because the parties involved were close to reaching an agreement.
He said the proposed deal would include the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and measures to address Iran’s nuclear programme.
Trump also said Israel supported the decision, adding that the cancellation of the planned strike depended on the swift completion of the proposed agreement.
He wrote: “The U.S.A. is locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II. Despite this, we have just been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries, to hold off any attack in that the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to. This would include the Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat.
“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 Country of Israel joins me in this commitment. Get to work, everybody, and get it DONE. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Trump’s statement followed weeks of heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran. The United States had previously carried out a series of military strikes against Iran after Tehran warned against attacks on its nuclear facilities.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the operations were aimed at reducing Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
