President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the United States and Israel would hold off on planned strikes against Iran, stating that Tehran and other Middle Eastern countries had requested a halt because the "perimeters of a deal" had been reached [2][6][10]. The deal, Trump said, would include the "Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT" and an end to Iran's nuclear threat, with Israel joining the commitment [13][19]. The announcement reversed a posture reported days earlier, when US officials had indicated strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure were imminent [5][20].

Trump stated the US remained "locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II" but agreed to cancel the attack "subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL" [7][10]. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said recent US strikes had destroyed Iran's navy, air force, missile defenses, and weapons production facilities, and that this had changed "the whole dynamic," making Iran "willing and in some cases, seem eager, to do a deal" [39]. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said Iran "will continue to pay until they come to the table" in what Trump deems a meaningful way [34]. US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz said Trump had paused attacks to "give negotiations a chance" and provide space for talks [45].

Iranian officials rejected Trump's account. Iranian military officials dismissed the claim that Tehran had requested a halt as "a new lie" aimed at pressuring Gulf Arab states, and said forces remained on the highest level of readiness [8][28]. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said, "Do not pay much attention to these media speculations. We currently have no negotiations with America" [45]. The Iranian army spokesman framed the pause as US "strategic decision-making exhaustion" [44]. Iranian MP Hasan Ghaskavi accused the US of showing a "double character" by publicly threatening war while seeking talks through back channels [36].

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned in calls with his Turkish, Pakistani, and Saudi counterparts that Iran would respond "decisively and proportionately" to any US-Israeli aggression, and that participating Gulf states would bear full responsibility [10][24][28]. Iran's military central command chief Ali Abdollahi said any country serving as a "defensive shield" for the US would be "engulfed by the flames of war" [29][30]. A senior Iranian security official told Tasnim News Agency that Tehran had prepared a "comprehensive plan" to retaliate, including targeting critical infrastructure in Israel and US energy assets in the region [5]. Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iran had "won this war" [37].

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called Trump to express concern over planned strikes and urge dialogue, warning that attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure could trigger retaliation against Gulf states [2][14][16]. Multiple outlets reported the call stressed the "necessity of prioritising dialogue to de-escalate tensions" [8][13]. The diplomatic effort also involved Qatar, the UAE, Turkey, and Pakistan [18][23].

An unnamed Israeli official told CBS News that Israel was not aware of any decision to resume full-scale military operations and had not been asked to join US strikes [5]. The Guardian noted that Israel's government under Netanyahu has previously disowned agreements announced by Trump [14].

Kuwait's military reported intercepting Iranian drones that struck a government facility in northern Kuwait and civilian property on Bubiyan Island, with Kuwait's foreign ministry calling it a "flagrant violation" of sovereignty [9][10][46]. UK Maritime Trade Operations reported an unidentified projectile striking a tanker's engine room off Oman, and a separate explosion near another vessel [10][28][40]. Gulf News reported Strait of Hormuz traffic dropped 77 percent in a single day [40]. The IRGC said it had struck two non-compliant oil tankers attempting to pass through the strait under US escort [32]. US Central Command said its naval blockade had redirected 30 commercial vessels, boarded two, and disabled two others [30].

Houthi forces said eight Saudi oil tankers had rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid a declared blockade on Saudi energy exports [29][34]. The Houthi-run maritime coordination body separately denied charging fees for safe passage through Bab al-Mandeb [30].

Members of Congress argued the administration was illegally circumventing the War Powers Resolution. Representative Thomas Massie said the administration was "literally trying to steer around it by pretending you can play stop-start and restart the clock" [42]. Senator Adam Schiff introduced a new war powers resolution, saying any assertion that the 60-day clock restarted had "no foundation in law" [42]. Representative John Larson said Congress would introduce another bill to cut off funding for the Iran war [37]. Der Spiegel noted domestic US political pressure from high fuel prices ahead of midterm elections [31].

War-risk insurers described premiums for Hormuz transits easing from a crisis peak of 10 percent to a range of 3 to 8 percent of a vessel's hull value [41]. The OPEC basket price was reported at $88.39 per barrel [52]. Analysts suggested Brazil could capture new Asian oil demand if the strait remained constrained [51].

Iraq's prime minister committed to preventing attacks by pro-Iranian militias against neighboring states after Jordan and Syria warned Baghdad they would respond to any aggression from Iraqi territory [33]. US embassies urged American citizens to consider departing the region [12][29]. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called for an end to the conflict, citing its impact on the global economy [47]. Israeli strikes killed at least eight Palestinians in Gaza, and Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called a Hamas disarmament deal unacceptable, demanding continued military operations [13][29][34].

Israeli Iran expert Danny Citrinowicz argued that strikes on civilian and economic infrastructure would not force Tehran to concede, and that Iran would likely increase costs for its opponents [11]. Middle East Institute analyst Ross Harrison stated that Iran would not negotiate under threat, and that prolonged conflict could lead to loss of control by decision-makers on both sides [18].

The suspension remains conditional on a deal whose terms — complete Hormuz reopening and an end to Iran's nuclear program — have been neither confirmed by Iran nor independently verified [22][45]. US security alerts urging citizens to prepare for evacuation remained in effect [16][30].