US President Donald Trump has pulled back from launching a fresh military strike on Iran, saying Middle Eastern allies helped broker the outline of a peace deal that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. The announcement marks a dramatic pause in a five-month-old conflict that had appeared to be escalating toward one of the most intense bombing campaigns of the war.

What Trump Announced, Trump Cancels Iran Attack

Writing on social media on Saturday, Trump said Iran and other Middle Eastern countries had asked Washington to hold off on any attack because “the perimeters of a deal” had been agreed to. He said the emerging agreement would include the immediate and complete reopening of the Strait of Hormuz along with an end to Iran’s nuclear threat.

Trump added that Israel had joined the commitment to pursue the diplomatic path, urging all sides to “get to work” and finalize the deal quickly. Neither Iran nor Israel has officially confirmed the framework Trump described.

A Sudden Reversal After Weeks of Threats

The de-escalation comes just a day after Trump signaled that a large-scale military campaign against Iran was being prepared to pressure Tehran back to the negotiating table. The United States and Israel began military operations against Iran on February 28, with Trump saying at the time the goal was to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities, halt its nuclear weapons development, and cut off support for Iran-backed armed groups across the region.

The war’s objectives have shifted repeatedly since then. A temporary ceasefire reached in mid-June raised hopes for a lasting settlement, but renewed attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz shattered that truce within weeks.

Saudi Arabia’s Role in the De-escalation

According to sources familiar with the matter, Trump’s announcement followed a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who reportedly expressed concern that a fresh US strike could trigger a wider regional war. Riyadh has been worried that a major American strike on Iran’s energy infrastructure, bridges, or power plants could prompt Iranian retaliation against Saudi and other Gulf energy facilities.

The crown prince is said to have pressed Trump for clarity on Washington’s next steps against Iran. A White House official confirmed that a call between the two leaders took place but did not release further details.

Saudi Arabia has also backed recent US strikes on Iran-linked logistics and weapons depots in Iraq, while simultaneously urging both Washington and Tehran to return to negotiations. Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman traveled to Washington this week for talks with Trump and Vice President JD Vance on Iran strategy, according to the report.

Netanyahu’s White House Visit

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Trump at the White House on Tuesday — their first face-to-face meeting since the war began in February. Netanyahu reportedly urged Trump to continue the military campaign against Iran, even as diplomatic efforts gathered pace elsewhere.

For more on the diplomatic back-and-forth, see reporting from CBS News and NBC News.

Political Stakes Rise Ahead of US Midterms

The prolonged conflict has become a political liability for the Trump administration as November’s US midterm elections approach. The war has weighed on the global economy and remains unpopular with American voters.

Tensions escalated further earlier this week after Iran launched a missile attack on a US military base in Jordan, which American forces intercepted. Trump warned of a strong retaliatory response, saying Friday that “we want to win” and that the US would strike Iran “extremely hard” if necessary.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has accused Iran of violating the earlier ceasefire understanding by targeting commercial vessels and American troops.

Heightened Security Alerts Across the Region

Ahead of Trump’s latest announcement, US officials were on high alert, with Trump stating that American forces remained fully prepared to act immediately if needed. The US State Department has also issued a heightened security advisory for American citizens across 10 Middle Eastern countries, citing the rising tensions with Iran.

Whether the newly announced framework leads to a lasting resolution remains uncertain, as both Iran and Israel have yet to publicly confirm the terms Trump described.

Source reference: Singha Darbar