Trump Halts Planned Iran Attacks as Talks Near Breakthrough

Trump cancels planned Iran attacks, saying talks are close as Tehran reviews a proposed US deal.

United States President Donald Trump announced the cancellation of a third consecutive night of planned strikes against Iran, stating that negotiations with Tehran were nearing a breakthrough.

Earlier in the day, Trump had threatened severe retaliation, warning that Iran would be hit “very hard” and citing potential attacks on Kharg Island and other oil facilities. The sudden reversal came as a senior Iranian official informed Al Jazeera that a proposed memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran was under consideration by Iran’s top leadership.

In Iran

• Trump calls off planned Iran attacks: Hours after warning of a hard strike and threatening attacks on Kharg Island, President Trump said he had cancelled the planned strikes, claiming negotiations had reached a breakthrough. In a Truth Social post, he noted that discussions had been elevated to Iran’s top leadership and that the final points of an agreement had been approved by all parties, including the U.S. and several regional allies.
• Tehran frames potential deal as reward for wartime sacrifices: Al Jazeera’s Mohamed Vall reported that many Iranians would welcome an end to the conflict after months of economic hardship and civilian suffering. The government is portraying a possible agreement with the U.S. as a victory, suggesting that sanctions relief, asset unfreezing, and continued leverage over the Strait of Hormuz would strengthen the country while preserving its dignity and sovereignty.

In the U.S.

• Expert says Trump used an ‘escalate-to-de-escalate’ strategy: Richard Weitz, an international security expert at the NATO Defence College, explained that Trump’s threats to intensify the conflict may have been aimed at forcing a diplomatic breakthrough. He noted that the strategy involves threatening escalation to compel an end to the dispute, though uncertainty remains about the precise terms and implementation of any agreement.
• Trump has tried to restrain Netanyahu’s influence: Al Jazeera’s Kimberly Halkett reported that President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu share a goal of limiting Iran’s nuclear program. However, concerns have grown within the White House that Netanyahu could derail diplomatic efforts, prompting Trump to work to moderate Israeli actions and allow time for diplomacy.

In Lebanon

• Hezbollah says it carried out 24 attacks on Israeli forces: Hezbollah claimed it launched drone, missile, and rocket strikes against Israeli soldiers, armored vehicles, and military positions across southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley between Wednesday and Thursday. The group reported repeated attacks on troop concentrations near Tayr Harfa and targeted Israeli forces in Naqoura, al‑Qaouzah, Rashaf, Zantara, Zawtar al‑Sharqiyah, and Yohmor al‑Shaqif.

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