US President Donald Trump cancelled fresh strikes against Iran and said a peace deal has been approved by the Iranian leadership and Israel.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that the time and place
of the signing would be announced shortly.
However, he said that the US Naval Blockade will remain in full force and effect until the deal is finalised.
“Based on the fact that discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran have been brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved, I have, as President of the United States of America, cancelled the scheduled strikes and bombings against Iran this evening. Discussions and final points have been, in both concept and great detail, approved by all parties involved, including the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, and others. The Naval Blockade will remain in full force and effect until this Transaction is finalized — Time and place of the signing to be announced shortly,” he wrote.
Earlier today, Trump vowed “very hard” strikes on Iran and promised to take the country’s key oil infrastructure, in what would be a major escalation in the war with the Islamic republic. He threatened “bigger, more powerful” attacks on what would be a third successive night, as he pushes Tehran to turn their increasingly nominal ceasefire into a permanent peace deal.
Trump also said that the US will take Kharg Island, which is at the heart of Iran’s oil export industry.
“The United States will be hitting Iran… VERY HARD TONIGHT,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social network.
“At some point in the not too distant future, we will be taking Kharg Island, and other oil infrastructure points, and assume total control of their Oil and Gas Markets, much like we have with Venezuela,” he added.
Iran-US Conflict Escalation
Iran and the United States have traded fire in recent days as the ceasefire looks ever shakier. Washington had said the strikes were carried out in response to Iran’s downing of a US Army Apache helicopter over Gulf waters.
However, Tehran dismissed the justification as a “false pretext” and responded with missile and drone attacks targeting US bases in Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait.
Later, Iran’s new body overseeing the Strait of Hormuz announced a complete closure order for the strategic waterway until further notice. However, the US said the strategic waterway is open for transit.
