Trump cancels planned attack on Iran, gives reasons

US President Donald Trump says Iran has agreed to the perimeters of a new deal, which would “completely” reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end what he described as Iran’s ‘nuclear threat.’

He announced on Truth Social that the US, in response to this, has suspended its planned attack on the country. 

PREMIUM TIMES reported America’s advisory to its citizens in the Middle East, urging them to “consider departing” the region, ahead of the planned strikes and Iran’s expected retaliation. It also asked them to be “prepared for flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures, and potential travel disruptions.”

However, Mr Trump said on Sunday morning that Iran and other Middle Eastern countries had asked him to hold off on the attack, which would have been conducted at “levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II.”

This, he noted, is subject to a rapid finalisation of the deal.

“Based on the request, I have agreed, for the future benefit of the WORLD and, likewise, the survival of a 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,” he declared.

The struggle for control of the Strait of Hormuz has put Iran and the US at loggerheads throughout July after attempts to reach an agreement fell through. Last month, Iran closed the crucial maritime route, while Mr Trump reimposed a naval blockade on the country and expanded sanctions.  There were 13 consecutive days of strikes and retaliatory strikes between the countries, leading to a spike in global oil prices. 

The war, which began on 28 February when the US and Israel launched surprise attacks while Iran was in the middle of negotiations with the US, has now lasted five months, with a new front in the Red Sea between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.