US President Donald Trump said he would postpone a planned attack on Iran if a deal could be reached quickly to address Tehran’s nuclear programme and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement shared on his Truth Social platform, Trump said Iran and several other Middle Eastern countries had requested more time to negotiate an agreement that would lead to the immediate reopening of the key shipping route and end concerns over Iran’s nuclear activities.
He said he agreed to delay the attack for the benefit of global stability and Iran’s future, but stressed that the decision depended on whether a deal could be achieved rapidly.
Trump added that Israel had also agreed to the commitment, although Israeli authorities had yet to issue an official response.
Iran had earlier warned the United States against taking any further military action, saying it would respond firmly if Washington carried out new strikes against Iranian targets.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi raised the issue during separate phone discussions with senior officials from Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, warning of the consequences of what Tehran described as destabilising actions by the US.
The warning came after Kuwait’s military reported that it had intercepted and destroyed drones launched from Iran targeting several important facilities.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was also reported to have spoken with Trump and sought clarification over Washington’s plans regarding Iran.
Meanwhile, Iran-linked media warned that any attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure could trigger retaliatory strikes against energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Israel.
The conflict has already affected global energy markets, with oil prices remaining elevated after US and Israeli forces launched strikes against Iran on February 28.
The ongoing tensions have also disrupted shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global energy supplies, raising concerns over further impacts on the world economy.
Maritime security concerns increased after reports of incidents involving commercial vessels near Oman, including one tanker that suffered damage after being hit by an unidentified projectile.
