Trump cancels threatened strikes on Iran hours after warning, citing peace talk progress — Tehran denies breakthrough
US President Donald Trump abruptly called off massed attacks on Iran late Thursday, saying negotiations had reached the highest levels of Iranian leadership. Tehran immediately denied any breakthrough.
The abrupt reversal
President Trump had warned earlier on Thursday that the US military would hit Iran 'very hard' overnight, even threatening to seize the strategic Kharg Island oil terminal and take 'full control' of its oil and gas markets. Hours later, he cancelled the operation, writing on Truth Social that talks had now involved the Iranian leadership's top tier. Stock markets rose on the news.
He suggested a signing ceremony could take place over the weekend, probably in Europe, while stressing that a naval blockade remains fully in force.The final points in principle and detail have been approved by all involved parties, including the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Egypt.
Tehran’s denial
Iran’s political leadership pushed back within hours. The Fars news agency, which is close to the powerful Revolutionary Guard, quoted a source close to the negotiating team stating that no framework agreement text had been finalised. Senior Iranian officials otherwise remained silent. The public contradiction echoed a pattern of Trump announcing breakthroughs that did not materialise; he has declared imminent deals several times since the conflict began.
A three-month war
US and Israeli forces launched operations against Iran at the end of February. A ceasefire was declared roughly two months ago but has been repeatedly broken, with this week seeing new exchanges: Iran and Israel traded fire over the weekend, and on Wednesday night US and Iranian forces again clashed heavily. The core disputes — Iran’s nuclear programme, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the Lebanon front, sanctions and frozen assets — remain unresolved.
Escalation and reversal
Trump’s threat to take over Kharg Island, through which nearly all of Iran’s oil exports flow, had signalled a dangerous new phase. The sudden cancellation, pinned on diplomatic progress, leaves open whether a genuine shift has occurred or tactical brinkmanship.
- US and Israel launch military operations against Iran
- Ceasefire declared
- Iran and Israel exchange fire over the weekend
- US and Iran trade heavy overnight attacks
- Trump threatens massive strikes, then cancels citing talks
