President Donald Trump said Saturday that he would order U.S. forces to hold off on new strikes against Iran after claiming that Middle Eastern allies had agreed on the outlines of a potential deal to end the five-month-old conflict.
Trump said the proposed agreement would include the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and measures to end what he described as Iran’s nuclear threat. He said he agreed to suspend further attacks in hopes of reaching a deal quickly.
The announcement does not amount to a finalized peace agreement. A regional official involved in mediation efforts said the proposal would bring the United States and Iran back to negotiations to resolve outstanding issues that have blocked previous attempts at a settlement.
Under the emerging proposal, the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened and attacks across the region would stop, including attacks by Iranian-backed militias in Iraq against Arab Gulf states and Jordan, the regional official said.
Iran has responded cautiously. Its defense minister said the country remained alert despite Trump's announcement and would continue preparing for what it considers potential U.S. threats.
The latest pause follows several previous attempts by Trump to halt or delay U.S. military action against Iran. Previous diplomatic efforts have failed to produce a lasting settlement, with fighting resuming after temporary pauses.
The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the negotiations because it is a critical route for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Its disruption has contributed to heightened energy-market concerns and increased pressure for a diplomatic resolution.
For now, the proposed framework remains subject to negotiations, and it is unclear whether Washington and Tehran can reach a comprehensive agreement.
