U.S. President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that he stopped a pending attack on Iran after Tehran and unmentioned Middle Eastern countries asked for a delay. The move followed claims that the "perimeters of a deal" had been agreed upon to end the escalating conflict. Trump stressed the need to keep the Strait of Hormuz open for shipping and end Iran's nuclear threat as part of the deal. He said the pause depends on reaching a deal fast, but U.S. forces stayed ready if needed. "We are locked and loaded and ready to go," Trump said. Israel publicly backed the U.S. decision to halt military action, adding to the international importance of the move.
The Hormuz Strait handles about 20% of global oil and gas by sea. Open access there is essential for regional and global energy security. Trump said the deal would help both the world and Iran's future. U.S. missions in Iraq, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates advised Americans to consider leaving the region or be prepared to depart if fighting escalates. Iran has not confirmed that any agreement has been reached with the U.S. but said it remains prepared for any escalation. Iran’s acting Defense Minister Seyyed Majid Ibn Al-Reza said: "Although the enemy’s recent statements are part of a psychological and cognitive warfare campaign, we consider every threat to be real and take it seriously."
Tensions flared this week when Iran fired missiles at U.S. troops in the region. In response, U.S. strikes targeted several sites connected to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, including missile and drone sites, and command centers. U.S. Central Command said the attacks aimed to reduce risks to U.S. forces, shipping, and Gulf allies. This followed earlier strikes in late February that led Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz, unsettling global energy markets. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told his Saudi counterpart during a phone call Saturday that any "aggression" by the U.S. and Israel, or involvement by regional countries, would be met with a "decisive and proportionate response."
Earlier, Trump expressed doubts about a peace deal, saying he was "losing faith" in it and warning Iran about a strong response. The U.S. State Department issued a warning for Americans in the region to be cautious, with potential flight cancellations and travel disruptions possible due to possible conflict escalation. A temporary ceasefire reached after the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran on June 17 has effectively collapsed, with both sides remaining divided over key issues, including Iran’s nuclear program and control of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
In June, the U.S. and Iran signed a preliminary "memorandum of understanding" that outlined a potential peace deal. It required Iran to stop attacks, the U.S. to lift a naval blockade, and Iran to reopen the Hormuz Strait and promise not to pursue nuclear weapons. Both sides had 60 days to finalize terms, but renewed strikes have made it unclear if the deal will hold.
Regional and global implications
The clash between the U.S. and Iran has heightened regional tensions and unsettled energy markets. A disruption at the Hormuz Strait could directly threaten global oil supplies. Analysts warn that a prolonged conflict could sharply raise oil prices and destabilize the broader Middle East region. The U.S. and allies, including Israel, are urging Iran to follow international security rules, especially on its nuclear program and regional military actions. Iran argues it has the right to defend itself and uses the conflict to gain regional support. The situation remains uncertain, with both sides holding key leverage but neither showing willingness to give in without guarantees from the other.
A conditional truce under pressure
Trump made clear that the truce is temporary and depends on quick progress toward a final agreement. With both sides showing restraint for now, the world watches to see if diplomacy can succeed or if the pause will break down into more conflict. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto leader, spoke with Trump by phone Saturday and raised concerns about the US potentially escalating the conflict with Iran. The Saudis are concerned that Tehran could respond with attacks on the energy infrastructure of the kingdom and other Gulf countries. A White House official confirmed the leaders spoke Saturday but did not offer any detail. Meanwhile, the U.S. faces a shortage of Patriot anti-missile interceptors, with inventories falling from about 2,300 before the war to fewer than 827. U.S. officials have raised concerns about the depleted supply and its impact on protecting American troops. Trump has dismissed these concerns, but the issue highlights another challenge in the ongoing standoff. Iran’s acting Defence Minister, Majid Ebn-e-Reza, said Trump’s pullback comment was made "within the context of psychological operations and a war of calculations". Iran’s wartime military command warned on Saturday that US and other interests across the region could be attacked in tit-for-tat strikes if Washington launches threatened attacks against civilian infrastructure, including power plants and petrochemical manufacturers. Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, spoke on the phone with Trump before his announcement on halting the strikes, with state media saying he stressed the need to prioritise dialogue "to reduce escalation and the importance of making every possible effort to achieve calm that paves the way for diplomatic solution". Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, had a phone call with his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan, on Saturday night. Other mediators such Pakistan, Qatar, Oman and Turkiye have also been exchanging messages and trying to nudge Iran and the US towards an agreement after their memorandum of understanding (MoU) reached in June fell apart in less than a month.
Trump says new talks with Iran to begin Monday after calling off strikes. Oil prices lost more than $5 a barrel at Monday's open after U.S. President Donald Trump held off from a fresh attack on Iran, in order to reach a quick deal that would halt Tehran's nuclear ambitions and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude futures slipped $5.52, or 6.28%, to $82.41 by 2202 GMT while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $79.40 a barrel, down $5.27, or 6.22%.
Trump said he had planned “the biggest attack since World War II” but halted it to give diplomacy a chance. He stated that Gulf allies Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar had urged him to delay the strikes. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, held a second phone call with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, joined by Pakistani Army Commander Asim Munir, to discuss recent diplomatic efforts. Iran’s official news agency IRNA reported that negotiations between Tehran and Oman over the Strait of Hormuz were in their final stages, according to Araghchi. The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said the negotiations focused on agreeing to a new route through the strait, which they clarified had “no link to the Strait of Hormuz being opened or closed. That is a separate discussion". Trump highlighted Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urging against the strikes and warning of possible unintended consequences.
The least bad option for the US is to let the MoU Article 5 play out. It is now clear the United States is sinking into the quagmire of its war with Iran with no clear idea of how to get out. More than five months of intermittent bombing of Iran have not brought Tehran any closer to surrender. Recurring threats by US President Donald Trump to launch a massive military campaign against the country aren’t causing Iran to submit to US demands. Meanwhile, diminished stocks of critical US weapons, plummeting approval ratings heading into the midterms and a looming global economic crisis due to increasing commodity shortages stemming from a closed Strait of Hormuz, are all putting political pressure on the US to end the conflict.