US President Donald Trump has postponed a planned military strike on Iran, saying he wants to give diplomacy a chance as negotiations continue over Iran’s nuclear programme and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Washington: US President Donald Trump has announced that he is delaying a planned military strike on Iran, expressing hope that ongoing diplomatic efforts will lead to a swift agreement to ease tensions in the Middle East.
Trump said the United States is giving negotiations more time after requests from regional allies, adding that a successful deal could help end the conflict, curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and fully reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route.
Military on Standby
Despite pausing fresh military action, Trump stressed that US forces remain fully prepared to launch strikes if negotiations fail. He said the military has been instructed to stay ready for immediate action should an acceptable agreement not be reached.
Regional Allies Push for Diplomacy
The decision reportedly came after Gulf leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, urged Washington to prioritize diplomacy over further military escalation. Regional governments have warned that renewed attacks could destabilize energy markets and trigger wider conflict across the Middle East.
Iran Rejects Trump’s Claim
Iran has denied requesting a pause in military action and rejected Trump’s assertion that Tehran sought additional time for negotiations. Iranian officials said the country remains on high military alert and warned that any new attack would receive a decisive response.
Focus on Hormuz and Nuclear Talks
The latest diplomatic efforts are centered on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which remains critical to global energy supplies, and reaching an agreement that addresses concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme. Continued uncertainty has kept global markets and oil prices under close watch.
While negotiations continue, the situation remains fluid, with the possibility of either a diplomatic breakthrough or renewed military escalation in the coming days.
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