Lead
US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he had agreed to cancel a planned major attack on Iran after being asked by Tehran and other Middle Eastern countries, and he called for an immediate deal that would include the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to Iran's nuclear threat. Trump also said Israel supported his commitment. Iranian military officials, however, denied that Iran had asked the United States to stop the attacks, according to the IRGC-affiliated Mehr News Agency.
Coverage comparison
Reports from The Jerusalem Post and The Hindu — World agree that Trump announced a halt to military action against Iran, describing his Truth Social post where he said the United States is "locked and loaded" and ready to go "at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II," but that he would hold fire for now, citing a request from Iran and other Middle Eastern countries.
The Jerusalem Post reported that Israeli officials were on high alert ahead of a potential US decision to resume strikes, and that Israel "joins" Trump in the commitment to a deal. The Hindu noted that the United States and Israel had agreed to hold off on new strikes, provided a deal could be reached quickly.
A report from N12 News, cited by The Jerusalem Post, said Israel was meant to be involved in a major attack on Iran, before Trump decided to call it off after pressure from Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The Hindu added that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman called Trump to express concerns.
In contrast, Iranian military officials, as reported by Mehr News Agency via The Jerusalem Post, described Trump's statements as a "desperate attempt to blackmail Gulf state rulers," and insisted that Iranian forces are at the highest level of readiness.
Key claims
Sources agree that President Trump was considering a massive attack on Iran, telling reporters, "I am considering a massive attack. Bigger than ever before. I am close to making a decision." He also said Israel "would join in two minutes if I ask them to," but noted there would be consequences, and that the United States didn't need assistance.
Trump claimed that Iran, and other Middle Eastern countries, asked him to hold off any attack. He said he agreed to cancel the attack "for the future benefit of the WORLD and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran," subject to a rapid deal. The deal, he said, would have to include opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the end of Iran's nuclear threat.
Israel's support for the commitment was reported by The Jerusalem Post, citing a Truth Social post. The Hindu confirmed Israel's agreement to hold off on new strikes.
Regarding the attack's planning, US officials told N12 News that Israel was meant to be involved, and that Israel told the US that strikes should target regime and economic targets for there to be any point. Trump was "closer than ever" to striking before regional pressure, according to the officials.
The Hindu reported that Saudi Arabia is one of the countries that prompted Trump's reversal, after Prince Mohammed Bin Salman's call.
In response to Trump's assertion, Iranian military officials denied that Iran had made any such request, saying the comments were blackmail. Iranians claimed Iran's military forces were at the highest readiness level.
Perspectives
White House / US position: President Trump claims he was asked by Iran and other Middle Eastern countries to stop the attack, and he decided to cancel it in order to facilitate a rapid deal, with Israel's backing.
Iranian military: Iranian officials rejected Trump's claim that Iran asked for a halt, describing his statements as blackmail, and asserting that Iran's forces were at maximum readiness.
Israeli signals: Israeli officials told The Jerusalem Post they were on high alert awaiting a final decision from the president, and US officials told N12 that Israel was meant to be involved in a major attack.