Trump says U.S., Israel to hold off attacks on Iran
US leader appeared to a have changed course after speaking with Saudi Arabia's crown prince.
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US leader appeared to a have changed course after speaking with Saudi Arabia's crown prince.
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Donald Trump said Saturday that the United States and Israel had agreed to hold off on new strikes on Iran — provided that a deal to end the months-long conflict is reached rapidly.
Fears had been mounting that the fighting could escalate once again after Trump threatened to hit Iran "very hard" and was reportedly considering renewed heavy attacks, including against energy infrastructure.
But the US leader appeared to a have changed course after speaking with Saudi Arabia's crown prince and after Tehran also spoke to Riyadh, and to mediators Pakistan and Turkey.
Trump insisted the US was still "locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran," but added that Tehran and other Middle Eastern countries had asked him to hold off on fresh strikes.
"Based on this request, I have agreed, for the future benefit of the WORLD and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
Iran's Mehr news agency on Sunday denied Trump's claim that the Islamic republic asked the US to refrain from conducting new strikes.
Citing military officials, the agency said the allegation "was nothing but a new lie" and that the Iranian armed forces were "on high alert and ready for any eventuality."
Iran's state news agency said the Saudi and Iranian foreign ministers held a call and the state-run broadcaster sad Tehran also spoke with Pakistan and Turkey, which have acted as mediators in the talks, about "the risk of escalating tensions and insecurity in the region."
Saudi Arabia's official SPA press agency said Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman had a call with Trump where he "emphasized the necessity of prioritizing dialogue to reduce tensions and the importance of exerting all possible efforts to achieve a truce that paves the way for diplomatic solutions."
The US president said the deal would have to include the "Immediate, Complete and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran's nuclear threat."
"The Country of Israel joins me in this commitment."
After more than five months of war, which began on 28 February when the US and Israel launched strikes on Tehran, there is seemingly no end to the conflict in sight.
A previous ceasefire deal with similar terms, including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, fell through, and Iran has since tightened its control over the vital waterway as the two countries resumed attacks against each other in recent weeks.
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