Trump Cancels Planned Major Strikes on Iran, Citing Progress Toward a Deal

The president says he has agreed to hold off on a strike he described as capable of delivering “levels of military terror… not seen since World War II,” pending rapid movement toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending Iran’s nuclear threat.

President Donald Trump announced he is canceling planned major attacks on Iran, citing progress toward a deal, though the pause remains conditional and fragile.

Background

The conflict began around February 28, 2026, with joint US-Israeli strikes under Operation Epic Fury and Israel’s parallel operation. It targeted Iranian military sites, missile facilities, naval assets, command centers, and leadership — including the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran retaliated with missiles and drones against US bases and regional targets. Fighting has centered on degrading Iran’s ability to threaten shipping and project power, especially in the Strait of Hormuz.

A fragile April ceasefire and a June 17 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed to end hostilities, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and open a 60-day window for talks on Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions, and regional security. Pakistan, with Qatar, played a key mediating role in the MoU. The agreement quickly frayed amid mutual accusations of violations, ship attacks in the Strait, renewed US strikes, Iranian retaliation — including against targets in Bahrain, Kuwait, and elsewhere — and a reimposed US naval blockade.

By late July, the sides had exchanged multiple waves of strikes. Trump at times declared the MoU “over,” threatened further escalation including against energy infrastructure, and expressed frustration that Iran “breaks its word.” Mediators continued efforts; reports noted Pakistani and Qatari involvement in de-escalation formulas.

Trump’s Latest Statement

Late on Saturday, August 1, Trump posted on Truth Social that the US 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.” He said Iran and other Middle Eastern countries asked the US to hold off because “the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to.”

According to Trump, this would include the “Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT” and “an end to Iran’s nuclear threat.” He added that Israel joins the commitment and urged negotiators to “get to work… and get it DONE.”

“I have agreed… to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL.” — President Donald Trump, Truth Social

The decision followed reports of potential new US, and possibly joint US-Israeli, strikes on Iranian energy targets that could have begun over the weekend. At a Camp David cabinet meeting on July 31, Trump had expressed losing faith in Iranian negotiators while still expressing hope that envoys — including Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio — could reach a deal.

Current Situation

Outlook

The pause is explicitly conditional on rapid progress toward a deal covering Hormuz reopening and Iran’s nuclear program. Past cycles of temporary de-escalation followed by renewed strikes make the situation highly uncertain. Mediators continue working, but deep mistrust, competing demands over the Strait, and domestic and political pressures on both sides remain major obstacles. Global energy markets and regional stability continue to hang on whether diplomacy can produce a durable arrangement this time.

This remains a fluid, high-stakes situation. Developments can shift quickly based on statements from Washington, Tehran, or mediators.