Trump says he agreed to avoid new Iran strikes in hopes of a deal
Photo: US President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump said the United States called off a planned strike on Iran after Tehran and other Middle Eastern countries asked Washington to hold off on an attack in exchange for reaching agreements on the key terms of a future deal.
According to the US president, the United States was prepared to use military force against Iran on a "Power not seen since World War II."
At the same time, he claimed that Iran and other countries in the region asked the US not to launch the strike because the sides had already agreed on the main principles of a future deal.
"We have just been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries, to hold off any attack in that the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to," Trump wrote.
He also said he agreed to call off a potential attack on the condition that a deal be reached as quickly as possible.
According to Trump, the future agreement must include reopening the Strait of Hormuz and eliminating the nuclear threat posed by Iran. He also said Israel supports such a solution.
"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," the US president said.
What preceded this
Earlier, CBS News reported that the US and Israel were allegedly preparing one of the largest-ever attacks on Iran's energy infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the US State Department advised Americans in the Middle East to consider leaving the region or be prepared to do so if tensions escalate further.
Tehran's response to the reported US plans also became known. Iran threatened to strike other countries' energy infrastructure if the US launches new attacks.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the response would target not only US interests but also countries that participate in any potential strikes.
