Trump suspends Iran strikes after Saudi pressure, demands quick deal on Strait of Hormuz and nuclear threat
After threatening massive strikes, Trump says US and Israel will hold off on bombing Iran's energy infrastructure, conditional on a swift agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end Tehran's nuclear threat.
From threats to reversal
On Friday, July 31, during a cabinet meeting, President Trump threatened to order a strike "very hard" on Iran. By Saturday, he posted on Truth Social that the US military was "armed and ready" to strike the Islamic Republic "at a level of military terror and power (...) that the world has not seen since World War II." Yet hours later, he announced the attack was off, citing requests from Iran and other Middle Eastern countries.
On the basis of this request, I accepted (...) for the good of the world (...) to cancel the attack, on condition that a deal is quickly reached. Israel joins me in this commitment.
The reversal followed a US government warning to American citizens to consider leaving the Middle East due to possible escalation. US media had reported that the administration was weighing massive new strikes, possibly over the weekend, against Iranian energy infrastructure including refineries and power plants. CBS News, citing unnamed sources, said the president had not yet given final approval. The planned operation would have been a joint US-Israeli effort.
The deal's terms
Trump insisted any agreement must include "the full and absolute opening of the Strait of Hormuz" and "the end of the Iranian nuclear threat." He capitalized the Hormuz demand for emphasis. According to Naftemporiki, the negotiating framework already provides for the immediate, full, and definitive reopening of the strait, and the involved parties have reached the basic principles of a deal. Trump called for rapid finalization, and said Israel supports the effort.
Saudi intervention and regional mediation
A phone call from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman proved pivotal. Axios, citing Trump administration sources, reported that the prince expressed strong concerns about the consequences of the planned US-Israeli strikes, especially potential Iranian retaliation, and urged more time for diplomacy. At the same time, Qatar, Pakistan, and Oman intensified their mediation efforts, aiming to avert a new war and restore navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments.
- Trump threatens to strike Iran 'very hard' during cabinet meeting.
- Trump posts on Truth Social that US military is ready to strike with WWII-level power, but cancels attack after Iran and others request, on condition of quick deal.
- Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman calls Trump to express concerns and urge diplomacy.
- Qatar, Pakistan, and Oman intensify mediation efforts to prevent war and reopen Strait of Hormuz.
The planned strikes
The strikes under consideration would have targeted Iranian energy facilities, including refineries and power plants, as part of an effort to increase pressure on Tehran after the resumption of hostilities in early July. Trump's Friday threat had signaled that the military option was imminent, and US forces were reportedly positioned to act over the weekend. The administration had been weighing the strikes as a way to force concessions.
What comes next
The situation remains uncertain. While Trump's post struck an optimistic note, the deal is not yet concluded, and the conditions set by Washington are maximalist. The Strait of Hormuz remains a central bargaining chip. The involvement of multiple mediators suggests a broad diplomatic push, but the threat of renewed strikes persists if negotiations fail. The US warning to citizens to leave the region underscores the fragility of the moment.
