Washington, United States: President Donald Trump said he cancelled scheduled US strikes and bombings against Iran on Thursday. He claimed talks had reached Iran’s highest leadership.
Trump made the announcement on Truth Social. He said discussions and “final points” had been approved “in concept and great detail” by the United States and several regional countries.
The Guardian reported that Trump said he had cancelled strikes planned for Thursday evening, citing approval from top Iranian leadership for the discussions. Sky News also reported that Trump said a deal was close. Furthermore, a signing time and place would be announced shortly.
Trump named Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Egypt among the parties he said were involved. However, the statement did not include a separate confirmation from Iran or the named regional governments.
The US president also said the naval blockade would remain “in full force and effect” until the transaction was finalised. Reuters, cited by Al-Monitor in April, had reported that Trump previously said the US blockade on Iran would remain until a deal with Tehran was complete.
The announcement followed two nights of US and Iranian strikes. The US military bombed Iran for a second consecutive night on Wednesday. Meanwhile, US officials described the strikes as completed after Iranian claims of retaliation.
Read: Trump Iran Strike Threat Targets Oil Sites, Kharg Island
No final agreement has been announced. Trump said the time and place of a signing would be disclosed shortly.
