U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he would suspend planned military strikes against Iran amid ongoing efforts to reach a peace agreement aimed at ending a five-month conflict in the Middle East. The president indicated in a social media post that the decision followed requests from Iran and several other Middle Eastern countries to pause hostilities as negotiations proceeded.
Trump outlined that the proposed deal would require the “immediate, complete, and total” reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil passes, along with an end to Iran’s nuclear threat. In exchange, the United States would lift its naval blockade on Iran and allow Tehran to resume exporting oil. Trump stated that Israel supports this commitment, although the Israeli government declined to comment publicly.
The announcement followed a recent period of heightened tension, during which Trump had warned of imminent and severe military actions against Iran, describing potential strikes as being "at levels of military terror, strength, and power not seen since World War II." The escalation appeared to be driven by frustration over stalled diplomacy and Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has contributed to rising global energy prices.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman played a pivotal role in urging restraint, reportedly expressing concern to Trump about the risk of Iranian retaliation against Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and other regional partners. Gulf allies coordinated a diplomatic appeal to the United States to hold off on further attacks, emphasizing the importance of avoiding broader conflict that could destabilize the region and disrupt global energy markets.
A Middle East mediator familiar with the discussions said the next steps involve returning Washington and Tehran to the negotiating table to resolve outstanding issues, including cessation of attacks by Iranian-backed militias in Iraq targeting Gulf states and Jordan. The mediator described the proposal as contingent upon Iran reopening the Hormuz Strait and halting regional hostilities.
Iran’s response to the U.S. announcement was cautious. Seyed Majid Ebnolreza, Iran’s acting defense minister, characterized recent U.S. threats as psychological warfare but affirmed Iran’s vigilance and readiness. A foreign ministry spokesperson in Tehran rejected the prospect of returning to pre-conflict conditions for the Strait of Hormuz, indicating ongoing talks with Oman about shipping through the strait but denying any current plan to fully reopen it under previous terms.
Inside Iran, differing views appear to be emerging between factions opposing negotiations with the U.S. and those who may see military pressure as a tool to strengthen Tehran’s position at the negotiating table. Meanwhile, Israeli officials reiterated their commitment to preventing Iran from advancing its nuclear and missile programs, regardless of diplomatic developments.
The conflict, which began on February 28 with U.S. and Israeli attacks, has extended beyond the Gulf, affecting maritime routes in the Red Sea and even facilities in the Mediterranean. Energy market groups such as OPEC+ have called for de-escalation and stressed the necessity of securing shipping lanes critical to global oil supply.
While no formal deal has yet been reached, ongoing mediation efforts continue under close international scrutiny. The potential ceasefire and reopening of shipping routes could alleviate rising inflationary pressures linked to energy disruptions but remain contingent on significant political and security concessions from all parties involved.