United States President Donald Trump has announced the cancellation of a planned military strike on Iran, saying the decision followed a request tied to ongoing diplomatic negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz and Tehran’s nuclear programme.
In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump said the United States was fully prepared to launch military action but agreed to suspend the operation after Iran and other Middle Eastern countries requested more time to finalise a proposed agreement.
According to Trump, the deal would provide for the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and include measures to eliminate Iran’s nuclear threat. He added that Israel supports the decision, although the cancellation remains dependent on the successful completion of the agreement.
Trump 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.”
The announcement comes about two weeks after the United States conducted military strikes on Iran for an 11th consecutive night following Tehran’s warning against attacks on its nuclear facilities.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the operations were intended to reduce Iran’s capability to threaten commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
