WASHINGTON, United States – President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the United States and Israel agreed to pause new military strikes on Iran if a conflict resolution deal is reached quickly.
Okay News reports that Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that he cancelled the attack following requests from Iran and other Middle Eastern nations. Trump said, “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,” and added, “The Country of Israel joins me in this commitment.”
Iran’s Mehr news agency cited military officials who called the claim that Tehran asked the United States to refrain from striking “nothing but a new lie.” The agency said the military of the Islamic Republic of Iran was “on high alert and ready for any eventuality.” Iranian state media said the Iranian and Saudi Arabia foreign ministers held a call regarding “the risk of escalating tensions and insecurity in the region.”
Saudi Arabia’s official SPA press agency said Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman had a call with Trump. The agency said the Crown Prince “emphasised the necessity of prioritising dialogue to reduce tensions and the importance of exerting all possible efforts to achieve a truce that paves the way for diplomatic solutions.” Tehran also held talks with Pakistan and Turkey, which serve as mediators in the conflict.
Trump said the required deal must include the “Immediate, Complete and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat.” Iran’s Fars news agency cited a source close to Iranian negotiators who said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed “as long as the United States maintains its hostile actions.” The conflict between the nations began on February 28.
Maritime trade tracking firm Kpler said on Friday that traffic through the strait dropped sharply. A drone struck a United States-owned gas vessel moored in a port in Egypt on Wednesday, causing a fire. A British maritime agency said an “unknown projectile” struck a tanker off the coast of Oman on Saturday.
