US President Donald Trump has claimed that a preliminary framework for a deal to end the war with Iran has been agreed upon with Middle Eastern ally countries, indicating a temporary halt to new military attacks.
In a social media post, Trump stated that the proposed agreement would include keeping the Strait of Hormuz fully open and ending Iran’s nuclear threat. ‘If a deal can be made in a short time, I am willing to cancel the attack for the sake of a great future and a prosperous Iran,’ Trump wrote.
According to Trump, Israel has also expressed support for the US effort to reach a deal with Iran. However, there has been no immediate response from Iran to Trump’s announcement.
This development comes as a surprise turn in the five-month-long conflict. Just a day earlier, Trump had indicated that the US was preparing for a widespread military attack to force Iran into negotiations.
The US and Israel launched military action against Iran on February 28. At the time, Trump stated that the goals were to destroy Iran’s missile capability, stop its nuclear weapons development, and end support for Iran-backed armed groups. However, the objectives and strategies of the war have evolved over time.
An interim ceasefire in June had raised expectations of a permanent agreement. However, the ceasefire was short-lived, broken after ships were attacked again in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump’s announcement follows a phone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. According to sources familiar with the discussion, the crown prince expressed concern that the US-Iran conflict could escalate further.
Sources say that if the US were to launch a major attack on Iran’s energy infrastructure, such as power plants or bridges, Iran could retaliate by targeting Saudi Arabia’s and other Gulf countries’ energy facilities.
The crown prince had asked Trump for clarity on potential US actions against Iran. A White House official confirmed the conversation between the two leaders but did not provide further details.
Earlier this week, Saudi Arabia supported a US operation against an Iran-backed group in Iraq and has been urging both the US and Iran to return to negotiations.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had sent his brother and Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman to Washington to discuss Iran strategy. Khalid bin Salman met separately with Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.
Meanwhile, Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday. The meeting was the first face-to-face talks between the two since the war began in February. Netanyahu had urged continued military action against Iran.
As the US midterm elections approach in November, this war is becoming increasingly challenging for the Trump administration from a political perspective. The conflict, which has affected the global economy, is also unpopular with the American public.
Earlier this week, Trump warned of a strong response after an Iranian missile attack on a US military base in Jordan, which the US military said it had thwarted.
On Friday, Trump stated that ‘we want to win’ and would take ‘very tough’ action if necessary. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt accused Iran of violating the ceasefire by targeting commercial ships and US troops.
Prior to Trump’s latest announcement, US officials were on high alert. Trump had stated via social media that the US military was fully prepared and capable of taking immediate action if needed.
In the meantime, the US Department of State has issued a high-security alert for American citizens in 10 Middle Eastern countries due to the escalating tensions with Iran.
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