Source HT
WASHINGTON / TEHRAN — U.S. President Donald Trump announced late Saturday that he has called off a planned joint U.S.-Israeli military strike on Iranian energy infrastructure, stating that Washington and regional partners have established the broad “perimeters” of a peace agreement.
The sudden reversal follows days of escalating rhetoric and preparations for what military officials described as one of the most intense bombing campaigns against Iran to date.
According to President Trump, the decision to hold off on military action came after direct appeals from Iran and several Middle Eastern allies—including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates—who urged the administration to give diplomacy another chance.
Key Components of the Proposed Framework
Writing on his Truth Social platform, President Trump declared that while U.S. forces remained “locked and loaded,” he agreed to suspend strikes conditional on the rapid finalization of a binding agreement.
The emerging framework centers on two non-negotiable conditions outlined by Washington:
Reopening of the Strait of Hormuz: An immediate, complete, and unhindered reopening of the critical maritime choke point to international energy shipments.
Termination of Nuclear Threat: Verifiable guarantees ending Iran’s nuclear advancement capabilities.
“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,” Trump posted, adding that Israel was aligned with the decision.
Regional Pressure and Diplomatic Intervention
The pause in military action comes amid intense diplomatic efforts from Gulf states. Officials from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE reportedly engaged in coordinated outreach to Washington, expressing deep concern over the regional economic and security fallout of targeting Iranian energy assets.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held a phone call with President Trump on Saturday to stress the importance of de-escalation, urging all parties to prioritize dialogue to prevent a broader conflict that could destabilize global energy markets and vital waterways.
Tension Remains High
Despite the public announcement of a potential breakthrough, regional readiness remains on high alert.
Prior to Trump’s announcement, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that any aggression by U.S. or Israeli forces would be met with a “decisive and proportionate” response. Iranian defense officials reiterated that while diplomacy is being explored, military readiness has not been scaled back.
Negotiators from Oman and other regional mediators are expected to continue talks in the coming days to convert the rough framework into an enforceable agreement. However, Washington emphasized that the suspension of military action is strictly temporary and dependent on how quickly Tehran formalizes its commitments.
