Trump Says Planned US Strike on Iran Canceled as Prospects for Nuclear Deal Improve

US President Donald Trump has announced that he has canceled a planned American military strike against Iran, saying diplomatic progress has created an opportunity for a rapid agreement that could ease tensions in the Middle East. The announcement comes amid continuing hostilities between the United States and Iran and renewed efforts to revive negotiations over Tehran's nuclear programme.

In a statement, Trump said he decided to halt the planned attack after being informed that the "perimeters of a deal" had been agreed upon. He said the request to delay military action came from Iran as well as several Middle Eastern countries, later identifying Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Qatar as key regional governments urging restraint.

According to Trump, the proposed agreement would include the "immediate, complete and total opening of the Strait of Hormuz", one of the world's most strategically important shipping lanes for global oil and gas exports. He also said the deal would lead to an end to what he described as Iran's nuclear threat, though no detailed framework or negotiated text has been made public.

Trump further stated that Israel "joins me in this commitment" to pause hostilities while negotiations continue. However, the Israeli government has not publicly confirmed that it has agreed to such a pause, leaving uncertainty over the extent of coordination between Washington and Jerusalem on the proposed diplomatic initiative.

The president said he had been prepared to authorize military action but chose instead to give diplomacy another opportunity. He added that formal negotiations between the United States and Iran were expected to begin shortly, with talks reportedly scheduled to start the following Monday, although he did not specify a deadline for reaching a final agreement.

The announcement follows months of escalating confrontation between the United States and Iran, including military exchanges, threats of further strikes, and disruptions affecting the wider Gulf region. The renewed diplomatic push also builds on earlier memoranda of understanding reached during 2026 that sought to reduce tensions but ultimately failed to produce a lasting settlement.

Regional powers have played an increasingly active role in encouraging de-escalation, with Gulf states reportedly urging Washington to prioritise negotiations over military action. Analysts say countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE are keen to avoid a broader regional conflict that could threaten energy exports, regional security, and economic stability.

While Trump's announcement has raised hopes for renewed diplomacy, significant questions remain about whether both sides can translate the reported outlines of an agreement into a formal deal. With fighting continuing in parts of the region and no public confirmation from either Iran or Israel on several of Trump's claims, the coming negotiations are expected to be closely watched as a test of whether diplomacy can succeed where previous efforts have struggled.