President Donald Trump has backed away from launching another major military strike on Iran, stepping back from what could have been a dangerous escalation in the Middle East.
The decision marks the second time in recent weeks that the US president has threatened force before opting for diplomacy instead.
In a social media post, Trump said he halted the planned operation after appeals from Iran and several Middle Eastern countries.
He also claimed that negotiators had reached the framework of an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic shipping route that Iran has restricted for months, disrupting global oil supplies and driving up energy prices.
The latest reversal comes after months of conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran, with repeated threats of military action yielding little progress toward curbing Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Analysts say Trump’s pattern of issuing strong warnings before abruptly changing course has created uncertainty among allies and weakened Washington’s credibility on the international stage.
Saudi Arabia reportedly played a key role in persuading the United States to avoid renewed attacks. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged dialogue over military confrontation, warning that a wider regional war would have severe consequences.
Qatar and Oman are also leading diplomatic efforts aimed at easing tensions and restoring navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Although Trump insists progress has been made, Iran has given no indication that it intends to ease restrictions on the vital waterway. Negotiators remain locked in difficult talks as commercial shipping continues to face disruption.
Despite heavy US military deployments and repeated airstrikes, the conflict has produced neither a lasting ceasefire nor a diplomatic breakthrough.
Instead, uncertainty continues to dominate the region, leaving global markets on edge and raising fresh concerns over the risk of another military confrontation.
