WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he had canceled planned military strikes on Iran, citing progress in negotiations and saying a broader agreement between Washington and Tehran was nearing completion, according to statements released by the White House and posts on social media.
The announcement came after Trump had earlier warned of possible military action against Iran amid heightened tensions in the Gulf region. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said discussions with Iran had been elevated to the highest levels of the Iranian leadership and had received approval, prompting him to halt the planned operation. “Based on the fact that discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran have been brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved, I have ... cancelled the scheduled strikes and bombings against Iran this evening,” Trump wrote.
Trump said a naval blockade would remain in place until any agreement was formally completed and signed. He also indicated that details regarding the location and timing of a signing ceremony would be announced later.
However, Iranian officials disputed the suggestion that a final agreement had been reached. Iranian sources cited by state-linked media said no memorandum of understanding had been finalized and that a final decision remained pending. Officials in Tehran said negotiations were continuing and that several issues still required resolution.
Diplomatic efforts have reportedly involved mediators from Qatar and other regional states. According to officials familiar with the talks, negotiations have focused on maintaining a ceasefire, reopening the Strait of Hormuz to normal commercial traffic, and establishing a framework for future discussions on Iran’s nuclear program.
The latest development follows months of tension between the United States and Iran and recent exchanges that raised concerns about a wider regional escalation. Trump’s decision to suspend the planned strikes was welcomed by financial markets, with oil prices falling as investors reacted to signs that a diplomatic resolution could still be achieved.
As of Friday, U.S. officials continued to express confidence that an agreement could be finalized in the coming days, while Iranian officials maintained that negotiations were ongoing and that no final accord had yet been approved. Details of any prospective deal remain unclear.
