New Delhi, Aug 02: US President Donald Trump said he had cancelled a planned military strike against Iran after Tehran and several West Asian countries sought more time to finalise a deal that would include the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said: “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 came amid heightened tensions across West Asia after he had earlier warned that the United States would hit Iran “very hard.” US media reports had said Washington was preparing fresh military strikes that could take place as early as this weekend.
The latest development followed intense diplomatic efforts by regional mediators, including Qatar and Pakistan, to prevent a fresh military escalation. According to reports, officials from the two countries held urgent contacts with Iranian and US officials, including Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, while discussions also focused on restoring commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly urged de-escalation during a phone conversation with Trump, expressing concerns over possible US strikes on Iran. Saudi Arabia has consistently stressed the need to avoid a wider regional conflict.
Iran, however, maintained its warning against any fresh military action. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in separate conversations with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, said Tehran would respond “decisively and proportionally” to any aggression by the United States, Israel or their allies.
The situation remains tense despite Trump’s announcement. The US State Department has issued a fresh travel advisory urging Americans in the Middle East to consider leaving the region due to the risk of “unforeseen escalation.” Tehran has also warned countries hosting US military bases against supporting any attack, while Kuwaiti authorities reported Iranian drone activity earlier on Sunday. Trump’s announcement, if followed by a negotiated agreement, could temporarily ease fears of a wider regional conflict, although no formal confirmation of such a deal has yet been announced by Iran or other parties.
