Late Saturday night, Trump announced that he had decided to halt the anticipated military operation after claiming to have received a request from Iran.
By United with Israel Staff
For the second consecutive weekend, Israel, the broader Middle East, and much of the world braced for what appeared to be a major U.S. military escalation against Iran—one that Israeli officials believed would likely draw Israel directly back into the conflict.
Throughout the weekend, multiple U.S. media outlets reported that President Donald Trump was weighing one of the largest strike campaigns of the war, targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure. According to CBS News, Washington and Jerusalem had coordinated plans for a joint operation, with strikes potentially timed before global financial markets opened Monday.
The heightened tensions followed last weekend’s similar standoff, when Israel prepared for a possible American offensive that ultimately never materialized. Israeli officials later acknowledged they had expected to join the fighting had those strikes gone ahead.
As fears of another regional escalation mounted, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem echoed a warning from the U.S. Embassy in Jordan urging Americans to remain vigilant while advising U.S. citizens in the region to consider departing because of the possibility of further escalation. Officials warned of potential airspace closures, flight cancellations, and rapidly changing security conditions.
At the same time, Iran threatened to retaliate against any American or Israeli attack by targeting critical energy infrastructure throughout the region. A senior Iranian security official told the state-affiliated Tasnim News Agency that Tehran had prepared “extensive response plans,” including strikes against Israeli infrastructure and U.S. energy facilities.
Late Saturday night, however, Trump announced that he had decided to halt the anticipated military operation after claiming to have received a request from Iran and other Middle Eastern countries to allow negotiations to proceed.
“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,” Trump wrote.
Despite that, he said Iran had informed the United States that “the parameters of a deal” had been agreed upon, including the immediate, complete and total reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat.
“Based on this request… I have agreed… to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL,” Trump wrote. “The Country of Israel joins me in this commitment.”
Hours later, however, Iran publicly contradicted one of Trump’s central claims. The semi-official Fars News Agency reported Sunday morning that no agreement had been reached to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, insisting that as long as the United States continues what it described as its “hostile actions,” the strategic waterway will remain closed.
Trump did not provide additional details about the reported understandings with Tehran or whether any formal agreement has been reached.
The announcement marked another dramatic turn in weeks of escalating confrontation between Washington and Tehran, with the region once again stepping back from the brink of what could have become the largest U.S.-Israeli military operation against Iran since the conflict began.
Do You Love Israel? Make a Donation - Show Your Support!
Donate to vital charities that help protect Israeli citizens and inspire millions around the world to support Israel too!
Now more than ever, Israel needs your help to fight and win the war -- including on the battlefield of public opinion.
Antisemitism, anti-Israel bias and boycotts are out of control. Israel's enemies are inciting terror and violence against innocent Israelis and Jews around the world. Help us fight back!
STAND WTH ISRAEL - MAKE A DONATION TODAY!