Trump has announced that he will refrain from launching a new attack on Iran, aiming instead for a swift agreement
President Donald Trump has stated that the U.S. will refrain from launching a new attack on Iran, provided that a swift agreement can be made to stop Iran’s nuclear pursuits and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
On Saturday night, Trump stated on his Truth Social platform that Iran and various Middle Eastern nations had requested time to finalize a deal aimed at achieving “the Immediate, Complete and Total” reopening of the crucial strait and “an end to Iran’s nuclear threat.
He did not specify the countries in the post, which came after a conversation with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, a U.S. ally. “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, contingent upon the ability to swiftly reach a deal,” Trump wrote.
Israel “joins me in this commitment,” he stated.
Iran announces it is enhancing its deterrence capabilities.
Trump’s noticeable reduction in tensions following days of threats of renewed attacks from both sides marked the latest development in the conflict initiated by the U.S. and Israel five months ago. Attacks have extended throughout the Gulf, reaching the Red Sea and even a facility in the Mediterranean region of Egypt.
Iran has effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for 20% of the world’s oil and LNG prior to the war, leading to an increase in energy prices and fueling wider inflation.
Eli Cohen, Israel’s energy minister and a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet, stated that there is close security and intelligence coordination between Israel and the U.S. regarding all developments in the region.
He stated, “Regardless of an agreement or any external commitments, if Iran seeks to revive its nuclear program or enhance its ballistic missile industries, we will respond accordingly. We will take action, and we will strike.
Trump and Netanyahu convened on Tuesday in Washington, where an Israeli official indicated that they had examined all potential avenues to limit Iran’s nuclear program, encompassing diplomacy, economic pressure, and military action. Tehran refutes allegations of pursuing a nuclear weapon.
Iran’s acting defense minister, Brigadier General Majid Ebn Al-Reza, stated that Tehran perceives recent U.S. threats as “psychological and cognitive warfare.” He emphasized that Iran is taking these threats seriously and will enhance its preparedness and deterrence to avoid being caught off guard or remaining passive, according to Press TV.
During his conversation with Trump, the Saudi crown prince emphasized the importance of prioritizing dialogue to reduce tensions in the Middle East, as reported by Saudi Arabia’s state news agency.
A White House official informed Reuters that the two had a conversation, though specifics were not disclosed.
Oil prices experienced a significant increase last month.
During a cabinet meeting on Friday, Trump expressed his belief that U.S. negotiators, including his son-in-law Jared Kushner, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, could successfully reach a deal with Iran.
Following the collapse of the April ceasefire in the war last month, benchmark Brent crude futures surged by 24%, with analysts surveyed by Reuters anticipating further price increases this year.
Trump has contended that his declared objective of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons warrants increased fuel prices in the short term; however, the economic strain has created political pressure for him to seek a resolution to the conflict.
Recently, Iran’s Houthi allies in Yemen have escalated their threats against the Bab el-Mandeb, the strait located at the opposite end of the Red Sea from the Suez Canal, which serves as another export route for Saudi crude. This development adds to the existing concerns within the energy industry.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported on Saturday that it had received information regarding two maritime incidents off the coast of Oman. In one instance, an unidentified projectile hit a tanker, causing damage to the engine room. In another instance, a tanker master reported seeing a significant splash and an explosion near the vessel, but no damage was noted.
