Trump withdraws planned Iran strike after Saudi plea, demands rapid deal on Hormuz and nuclear program

Attack called off

President Donald Trump announced on August 2 that he had agreed to withdraw the planned military strike on Iran, which had been expected over the weekend. In a post on Truth Social, he said the request came from Iran and other Middle Eastern countries, and that the general terms of an agreement had been reached. The United States, he warned, remained ready to act with military force unseen since World War II, but he accepted the suspension for the good of the world and to allow Iran to become a "prosperous and successful" country. Israel, he added, joined him in this commitment.

The United States is ready to act against the Islamic Republic of Iran with levels of terror, force and military power never seen since World War II. Despite this, we were asked to suspend any attack within the framework of an agreement that has been reached. This would include the complete, total and immediate opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the end of Iran's nuclear threat. Based on this request, I have agreed, for the good of the future of the world and, equally, for the survival of a prosperous and successful Iran, to cancel the attack, provided that an agreement is reached quickly. The State of Israel joins me in this commitment. Get to work, everyone, and get the job done.

Conditions: Hormuz and nuclear program

The withdrawal is conditional on a rapid deal that includes the "complete, total and immediate" opening of the Strait of Hormuz and what Trump called the end of Iran's nuclear threat. The strait is a critical chokepoint for global oil and gas supplies, and its disruption has been a central flashpoint in the crisis. Trump urged all parties to conclude the negotiation quickly.

Saudi pressure and regional diplomacy

Before the announcement, Trump spoke by phone with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who expressed concern and asked for clarification on the planned strikes. Bin Salman stressed the need for dialogue and warned that an agreement would prevent a wider conflict whose repercussions would threaten regional and international security. Saudi Arabia feared that Iran might retaliate against energy infrastructure in the kingdom and other Gulf states. Other regional powers, including Qatar, the UAE, Turkey and Pakistan, also pressed both sides. On Saturday, Qatari mediators held separate talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Omani officials, with progress reported toward a Hormuz reopening deal.

Iran's denial

Iran's side rejected Trump's account. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesman for the Khatam al-Anbiya command headquarters, said the real reason for the cancellation was the exhaustion of US air defense systems and operational equipment in the region.

After launching threats three times, they finally decided to cancel the attack! We know very well, both us and you, that the reason for the cancellation is the exhaustion of your air defense systems and your operational equipment in the region! You should not have stood against us.

Foreign Minister Araghchi had earlier warned Pakistan's army chief and Turkey's foreign minister against any "adventurous action" by the US military.

What comes next

The immediate focus is on finalizing the agreement. Trump's post indicated that the general terms are already agreed, but the rapid conclusion he demanded remains uncertain. The Strait of Hormuz reopening and nuclear assurances are the core demands, and the involvement of multiple regional mediators suggests a broader diplomatic push. The US embassies in Iraq, Jordan and the UAE had warned citizens of possible Iranian attacks less than 24 hours before the announcement, underscoring the volatility that the deal aims to defuse.