Trump cancels Iran strikes pending rapid deal

US President Donald Trump announced early Sunday that he is cancelling planned military strikes against Iran, making the suspension conditional on Tehran concluding a deal rapidly. The statement marks a potential turning point in weeks of escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Conditional Halt on Strikes

Trump said military action against Iran would be called off if the country moves quickly toward an agreement. While the president did not specify a deadline, the emphasis on speed signals a tight diplomatic window. Should negotiations fail to advance, Trump indicated that military options would remain available to the United States.

Months of Rising Tensions

The announcement follows a prolonged period of confrontation between the US and Iran, which has included American strikes on Iranian-aligned forces across the Middle East and escalating diplomatic exchanges. Iran has resisted sustained international pressure over its nuclear programme, which Washington and allied governments argue poses a direct threat to regional stability.

Diplomatic Path Still Open

The conditional nature of Trump's statement opens a narrow window for diplomacy. A pause in imminent strikes gives both sides room to engage without the pressure of impending military action. The White House has not confirmed what specific terms a deal would need to contain, or who might serve as a mediator between the two governments.

Regional powers and European governments are closely monitoring the situation, as any armed conflict involving Iran carries significant risks of wider escalation across the Middle East. Statements from Tehran in the coming hours will be closely watched for signals of readiness to negotiate.