Trump says US, Israel hold off Iran strikes as deal to end war takes shape
The US President claimed an emerging agreement could reopen the Strait of Hormuz, curb Iran's nuclear threat and pave the way for ending the five-month conflict
US President Donald Trump claimed in a social media post that Mideast allies have reached the parameters of a deal to end the Iran war and said he would hold off on ordering new strikes in the five-month old conflict for now.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, he said that the emerging deal "would include the immediate, complete, and total opening" of the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most vital energy conduit that has mostly been blocked by Iran since the war broke out on February 28.
Hormuz reopening tops proposal
"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," he said.
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"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 added.
Trump said that Israel, which had conducted joint strikes with the American military in February, killing Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei, has agreed to join the US in the commitment to try to complete the agreement with Iran that would bring about an end to the war.
"Get to work, everybody, and get it DONE," he said.
Saudi warns against escalation
Earlier Saturday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto leader, in a phone call with Trump raised concerns about the US potentially escalating the conflict with Iran, according to a person familiar with the leaders' discussion. The discussion, which was first reported on by the news outlet Axios, came as Trump weighed whether to carry out new strikes on Iran.
The Saudis, according to the person briefed on the substance of the call but not authorised to comment publicly, are concerned that if the US targets Iran's energy infrastructure or carries out massive strikes on other key infrastructure that Tehran could respond by carrying out attacks on the kingdom's and other Gulf countries' energy infrastructure.
The crown prince during Saturday's call sought clarity from Trump on what potential new action he's weighing to take against Iran, the person said.
A White House official, who was not authorised to comment publicly and requested anonymity, confirmed the leaders spoke on Saturday but did not offer any detail about the substance of their conversation.
(With agency inputs)