Trump cancels planned Iran strikes, signals potential deal signing in Europe

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he had canceled planned military strikes against Iran, claiming that discussions had reached Iran's highest leadership and received approval from all parties involved, with a final agreement potentially to be signed "over the weekend in Europe."

“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 posted on his Truth Social platform.

He added that “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.”

Earlier in the day, Trump warned that the US “will be hitting Iran… VERY HARD TONIGHT,” marking one of the most serious escalations between Washington and Tehran since the Pakistan-mediated ceasefire that halted the six-week Iran war in early April.

After his announcement, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that Washington had “just made a great settlement of the war with Iran,” adding that the final signing could take place "over the weekend in Europe."

Following Trump's statements, Iranian state media cited Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei as saying that “The issues raised about the agreement are speculation and the issue has not been finalized.” He added that Washington is “insinuating” that Tehran “has agreed to the agreement under pressure, while we will not back down from our red lines in any way.”

The latest tensions began on Tuesday after the US accused Iran of downing a US Army Apache helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz. The US Central Command said two crew members were rescued safely and that the cause of the incident remained under investigation.

In the days that followed, the US said it carried out strikes against Iranian targets and expanded its naval blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran responded with missile attacks targeting US military facilities in the region and continued enforcing restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Alongside the diplomatic efforts, Tehran and Washington engaged in reciprocal maritime measures. Iran tightened its control over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while the US imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports beginning April 13.

Trump said on his Thursday Truth Social post that the maritime pressure campaign would continue despite the diplomatic breakthrough. “The Naval Blockade will remain in full force and effect until this Transaction is finalized,” he wrote, adding that the “Time and place of the signing to be announced shortly.”