By: Isuru Parakrama
August 02, World (LNW): US President Donald Trump has announced that planned American military strikes against Iran have been put on hold, saying the decision was made to allow space for a rapid diplomatic agreement aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East.
In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump said he had authorised the cancellation of the planned attacks on the condition that negotiations with Tehran progress quickly.
He indicated that any agreement would require Iran to eliminate what he described as its nuclear threat and ensure the immediate reopening of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz to international shipping.
Trump said the decision had been reached in consultation with Israel, despite reports in several US media outlets suggesting Washington had been preparing a major new wave of military action against Iranian targets over the weekend.
According to the US President, American forces were fully prepared to launch what he described as an overwhelming military operation against Iran. However, he claimed that appeals from Iran and several countries in the region to delay military action had prompted him to give diplomacy another opportunity. Trump also suggested that negotiators had already reached a broad understanding on the framework of a potential agreement.
Iran has yet to issue an official response to Trump’s latest remarks.
Earlier, Tehran accused Washington of further inflaming regional tensions, warning that any neighbouring country assisting the United States in military operations would face serious consequences.
Meanwhile, the US government has advised American citizens across the Middle East to remain vigilant amid the uncertain security situation. A security advisory warned travellers to prepare for possible flight cancellations, temporary airspace closures and wider travel disruptions should the conflict intensify.
Reports from US media, including CBS News, indicated that American and Israeli officials had been considering one of the most extensive bombing campaigns of the conflict, with energy infrastructure reportedly among the potential targets.
The proposals were said to have been discussed during a Cabinet meeting on Friday, where Trump reportedly warned that Iran would face severe military action if hostilities continued.
Separately, media reports claimed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had spoken with Trump and expressed concern over the possibility of further military escalation, underscoring growing regional unease.
The confrontation between Washington and Tehran has intensified in recent months following the collapse of a ceasefire that had briefly halted fighting. Since then, both sides have exchanged a series of military strikes, while the United States and Israel have continued operations against Iranian targets.
Iran, in turn, has launched missile and drone attacks on US-linked assets in the region and has threatened maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy supplies.
The prolonged conflict has continued to unsettle international markets, with renewed military tensions contributing to volatility in global oil prices and raising concerns over broader regional stability.