President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he had decided to postpone a major military strike against Iran, stating that Tehran and other regional countries had indicated willingness to negotiate. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the United States remained prepared for military action but would delay while talks proceed.
"The USA 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," Trump wrote.
Trump said Iran and other regional countries had requested the postponement because "the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to." He specified that any agreement would need to include full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and elimination of 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," He wrote.
Israeli officials told The Jerusalem Post that Israel had raised its military alert level as Trump weighed whether to resume strikes against Iran. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged Trump by phone Saturday to reconsider launching a large-scale military strike.
Iran's response rejected Trump's negotiating claims. Mohammad Marandi, a senior Iranian negotiator and regime spokesperson, posted on X: "Everyone now knows this is fake news. Trump retreated." Kayhan newspaper, aligned with the Supreme Leader's office, headlined the cancellation as "U.S. President Trump retreated after a week of fabricated statements." FARS news agency stated there is currently zero agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, directly contradicting Trump's claim about negotiations.