Trump Holds Off Iran Strikes on Pledge a Hormuz Deal Is Close
The Strait of Hormuz has remained effectively closed by Iran amid the conflict, disrupting global oil flows and causing volatility in energy markets
Washington:US President Donald Trump said he has held off on launching new strikes against Iran after being informed that Tehran and regional powers are working towards an agreement that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said he had agreed to cancel the planned attack, “subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL,” according to a post on Truth Social. “Get to work, everybody, and get it DONE.”
He said the US was asked “to hold off any attack in that the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to,” adding that the understanding would include the “Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat.”
The development follows days of escalating tensions during which Trump had warned of striking the Islamic Republic “very hard” as the conflict entered its sixth month. There was no indication from Iranian officials or state media that an agreement was imminent.
Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency described Trump’s statement as a “repeated retreat from threats.”
Regional diplomatic efforts intensified, with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urging restraint, according to reports. The Saudi state news agency said he emphasised the need for dialogue to de-escalate tensions during talks with Trump.
Israel, which joined the US in launching the war but was not part of the June truce arrangement with Iran, is monitoring the situation. Israeli cabinet member Zev Elkin said there was “some kind of vector toward an agreement between Iran and Oman,” referring to talks held last month on reopening the Strait.
Elkin, however, expressed caution: “We’ll all wait to see if this vector really does become a full agreement, and whether it will be implemented and where it’s all leading.”
Trump met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House last week, where they discussed options for continuing the campaign.
The Strait of Hormuz has remained effectively closed by Iran amid the conflict, disrupting global oil flows and causing volatility in energy markets. Brent crude settled above $90 a barrel last week, up from below $72 at the start of July.
In parallel, OPEC+ countries agreed in principle to a marginal increase in output quotas for September, potentially restoring supply curtailed in 2023.
Security concerns persist across the region. The US has warned its citizens of possible flight disruptions and airspace closures. Iranian attacks have previously targeted US allies, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait.
A US-Iran truce brokered in June collapsed last month. Hostilities briefly paused again in late July before resuming after Iran launched ballistic missiles at a US base in Jordan earlier this week, in what Trump described as a surprise attack.
Iran has maintained a defensive posture. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned against any “adventurous actions by the US military,” stating the country was “fully prepared” to respond “decisively.” He also cautioned that regional cooperation with the US would draw a response from Iran’s armed forces.
The conflict has widened, with Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen threatening shipping in the Red Sea near the Bab el-Mandeb, adding pressure on another key maritime route. © 2026 Bloomberg L.P.
