WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the United States and Israel have decided to postpone planned military strikes on Iran, saying both countries are giving diplomacy a final opportunity to resolve the ongoing conflict.
The announcement came after days of heightened tensions, with reports suggesting Washington was considering large-scale attacks on Iranian targets, including energy infrastructure, in coordination with Israel.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the U.S. military was fully prepared to launch an operation against Iran but had agreed to delay action following appeals from Iran and several Middle Eastern countries.
“We have been asked by Iran and other regional nations to hold off on any attack,” Trump said, adding that he had agreed to suspend the operation on the condition that negotiations quickly produce an agreement.
According to Trump, any deal must include the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and guarantees addressing concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme.
He also claimed that Israel supported the decision to pause military action while diplomatic efforts continued, although Israeli officials had not immediately issued a public statement confirming the claim.
The development follows more than five months of conflict that began on February 28, when U.S. and Israeli strikes targeted Iran. Hostilities have continued with renewed exchanges of attacks in recent weeks, raising fears of a broader regional escalation.
Meanwhile, media reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke with Trump on Saturday, urging him to avoid further military action and pursue de-escalation instead. The White House did not immediately comment on the reported conversation.
