President Donald Trump abruptly called off planned military strikes against Iran on Thursday, citing progress toward a potential deal with Tehran, though Iranian officials disputed that any agreement had been reached. The president’s sudden reversal marked a significant shift in tone after three consecutive nights of threats targeting Iran's key oil export hub, Kharg Island, in the Persian Gulf.
Earlier in the day, Trump had warned of military action against Iran, escalating tensions in the prolonged conflict between the two nations. However, hours later, he announced via social media that he had suspended the planned Thursday night strikes, stating that discussions with “the highest level of Iranian leadership” had advanced and been approved.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump described an emerging memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, expressing optimism about a deal that he said could be finalized and signed in Europe as soon as this weekend. Vice President JD Vance was expected to attend the signing ceremony. Trump characterized the agreement as “a little conceptual” but “very strong,” emphasizing that Iran had agreed not to pursue nuclear weapons and would reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. He also said the U.S. military would end its blockade on Iranian ports once the deal was confirmed.
Despite Trump’s assertions, a spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry, Esmail Baghaei, dismissed the claims of an agreement as speculative. “Nothing has been finalized,” Baghaei told Iran’s state broadcaster, indicating that Tehran had not yet endorsed any deal.
The shift followed contacts between Trump and Pakistani officials, who have been mediating between Washington and Tehran. According to a senior administration official, Pakistan informed Trump that “we have a deal” with Iran. Additionally, Trump consulted with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was not involved in the negotiations but expressed cautious support. Netanyahu welcomed the prospect of a final agreement that would force Iran to dismantle its nuclear program, cease producing highly enriched uranium, limit missile development, and end support for militias across the Middle East.
The United States and Iran have conducted multiple rounds of negotiations over the past two months attempting to halt the conflict, curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and reopen vital shipping lanes at the Strait of Hormuz. However, prior talks have failed to yield a definitive resolution. Trump did not provide detailed evidence to substantiate his claims of a pending breakthrough.
This latest development comes amid a pattern of oscillating signals from the Trump administration, alternating between escalated threats of military action and assertions of progress toward diplomatic settlements, contributing to both regional uncertainty and global concern.