Trump calls off Iran strikes, citing progress in talks
After warning of imminent military action, US president says an agreement may be days away in a repeat of claims made in recent weeks
“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,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
The US leader also said a new deal with Iran could be signed as soon as this weekend, possibly in Europe, after repeatedly suggesting in recent weeks that a breakthrough with Tehran was imminent despite continued fighting and repeated setbacks in diplomatic efforts.
Iran on Friday tempered expectations, with foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei saying: “So far, Iran has not reached a final conclusion on the agreement”.
The semi-official Tasnim news agency also noted that Trump had publicly announced a deal was imminent 38 times in the previous two months.
