Trump Calls Off Planned Attack on Iran

US President Donald Trump has cancelled the planned strikes on Iran's key facilities. This comes just hours after he promised to hit the Middle Eastern country "very hard."

Mr Trump shared this news in a post on Truth Social. He said the attack was called off because talks with Iran have reached the "highest level of Iranian leadership and approved."

He explained, "Discussions and final points have been, in both concept and great detail, approved by all parties involved," including the US, Israel, and Saudi Arabia.

He also mentioned, "The Naval Blockade will remain in full force and effect until this Transaction is finalized, Time and place of the signing to be announced shortly."

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Trump had earlier said the US military was ready to strike Iran that night. He claimed that the US Central Command would take "total control" of Iran's oil and gas centers.

These threats came after Iran announced it would completely close the Strait of Hormuz. This paper also reported that the US and Iran began exchanging strikes on Tuesday night. This happened after Tehran shot down an American Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz.

The situation is getting tense in the Middle East. The US launched another wave of strikes on Iran on Wednesday. Iran then responded with missile strikes on US bases in the area.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said these strikes are part of ongoing talks for a long-term ceasefire. He said they were launched in "self-defense." But Mr Trump said these strikes are the cost Iran must pay for delaying a deal.

He told Fox News on Wednesday that Iran had a chance to sign a deal and survive, but they did not take it. He might continue with more strikes if negotiations keep moving slowly.

Mr Trump also threatened to take control of Kharg Island and other oil sites. He said the US would take total control of Iran's oil and gas markets.

He added that this would be similar to what the US did "with Venezuela, which is working out brilliantly."

However, Iran's Foreign Ministry has rejected Mr Trump’s claim that a deal is approved. Al Jazeera reports that the ministry said the Iranian government has not made a final decision about a deal. They added that a formal announcement will come once they finalize the details of the draft agreement.