Trump Holds Fire on Iran Strike for Potential Deal
Trump posted on Truth Social Saturday that he canceled a planned attack on Iran to allow time for a deal covering the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear program. Iran denied it had agreed to any deal.
- 20% of global oil and LNG flowed through Hormuz before Iran largely closed it.
- Brent crude jumped 24% last month as the April ceasefire unraveled.
- Qatar brokered Saturday talks among Iran, the US, and Oman to head off the strike.
- Planning for the attack began Wednesday, a day after Netanyahu met Trump in Washington.
Why it matters: The strike's cancellation came roughly 24 hours before it was set to begin, according to Israeli officials. Israel was not informed through official channels — senior officers learned of the decision via Trump's social media post.
- 'President Trump left us in the fog,' a senior Israeli official said.
- Houthi allies in Yemen have also begun threatening the Bab el-Mandeb strait, adding pressure on regional energy routes.
How 4 sources split on this story
Where they split: Gulf states divided on strategy: Saudi Arabia pushed Trump toward restraint while the UAE lobbied for decisive military escalation, including possible US control of the Strait of Hormuz.
Right coverage, 1 sources: The right frames the pause as a calculated negotiating move by Trump, while noting Israel's frustration at being sidelined and Iran's continued defiance as reasons to remain skeptical of any deal.
What’s next: A deal to revive a US-Iran memorandum of understanding is being mediated, per Channel 12 sources. It would keep Hormuz open fee-free for 60 days and renew a ceasefire.
- Iran's acting defense minister said Tehran would boost preparedness rather than remain passive.
- Iran has denied agreeing to any deal — what, if anything, was actually committed to remains unclear.
- Whether Israel will act independently if it judges a deal insufficient is unresolved.
- How quickly negotiators can produce a formal agreement before Trump reverses course is unknown.