Trump cancels planned attack on Iran, gives reasons

United States President Donald Trump has announced the cancellation of a planned military strike on Iran, saying the decision followed a request linked to ongoing diplomatic efforts and a proposed agreement involving the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear programme.

Trump disclosed the decision in a post on Truth Social on Sunday, where he said the United States had been fully prepared for military action but agreed to suspend the operation after Iran and other Middle Eastern countries sought more time to finalise an agreement.

He added that the proposed deal includes the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and measures to end Iran’s nuclear threat.

According to him, Israel supports the decision, while the cancellation remains conditional on the successful conclusion of a deal.

He wrote, “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.”

The announcement comes about two weeks after the United States carried out strikes on Iran for an 11th consecutive night following Tehran’s warning against attacks on its nuclear facilities.

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The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the operations were aimed at weakening Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.