Trump says U.S. attack on Iran on hold pending deal

Donald Trump comments came after US media reported that Washington may have been planning new, intense strikes on Iran over the weekend.U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Tehran and other Middle Eastern countries had asked the United States to postpone any military action on Iran, claiming that the outlines of an agreement had been reached.In a post on Truth Social, the U.S. president said the emerging deal “would include the Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat.”“The U.S.A. is locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II. Despite this, we have just been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries, to hold off any attack in that… pic.twitter.com/Ylmlm06j3E— The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 2, 2026 Trump said he had agreed to cancel the planned attack, but added that the decision was contingent on an agreement being concluded quickly. “Based on this request, I have agreed, for the future benefit of the WORLD and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL,” Trump said.He also said Israel had joined the commitment, while describing the United States as fully prepared for military action against Iran, with military capabilities at levels not seen since World War Two.His comments came after US media reported that Washington may have been planning new, intense strikes on Iran over the weekend.Trump said on Friday that the US will keep hitting Iran “very hard” until Tehran can no longer withstand the pressure.“Oh, we’re gonna, we’re gonna hit them very hard. I mean, I can actually say that because, and that, there’s very little they can do about it. But, you know, we gotta smack them a little bit.” said Trump.Earlier on Saturday, Tehran had accused the US of escalating tensions, saying any regional state co-operating with Washington would be “engulfed by the flames of war”.Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned on Saturday of a decisive and proportionate response to any US-Israel aggression in calls with officials from Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia.In a statement regarding the US threats and attacks, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized early Sunday that it would “utilize all means to legitimately defend the nation’s rights and security.” Meanwhile the US government urged Americans across the Middle East to be alert and ready to leave “should there be escalation” in the region.Middle East: Americans currently in the Middle East should exercise caution and heightened vigilance and should be prepared for flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures, and potential travel disruptions. Some airlines in the region have postponed resumption of earlier… pic.twitter.com/d1ZmzRBBHN— TravelGov (@TravelGov) August 1, 2026 “Americans currently in the Middle East should exercise caution and heightened vigilance and should be prepared for flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures, and potential travel disruptions,” the security alert said on Saturday.The U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, starting a war that Trump said was aimed at destroying Tehran’s missile capabilities.But the stated goals and timelines for the conflict have repeatedly shifted.An interim agreement reached in mid-June halted the fighting and was supposed to pave the way for a permanent deal, but it crumbled within weeks.