Live updates: US-Iran war news; Trump calls off strikes subject to deal being ‘rapidly’ reached.
President Donald Trump announced the cancellation of planned US strikes against Iran, contingent on rapid progress in talks. According to Trump, significant advancements have been made, including discussions aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz. However, Iranian state media did not indicate that Tehran had requested the attacks be called off or that it had changed its stance regarding control over the vital waterway.
The decision comes after Saudi Arabia's state media reported that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman advocated for a de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East. No strikes were reported from either side overnight into Sunday following Trump’s announcement, though the State Department warned Americans in the region to consider leaving due to potential travel disruptions.
Diplomatic efforts continue as the US seeks progress on multiple fronts. The White House has also intensified its push for a ceasefire in Gaza, pressuring Israel to halt ongoing strikes despite previous announcements of breakthroughs. Palestinian officials stated that Hamas is committed to disarmament but only if Israel ceases fire and meets other conditions. Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, reportedly worked with the Israeli side on this issue.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a central point of contention in the conflict. This narrow waterway serves as a critical oil chokepoint, through which about one-fifth of global crude oil production passes daily. The US Energy Information Administration notes that very few alternative routes exist to move oil out of the strait if it were closed.
Iranian state media denied any request from Tehran for Trump to cancel planned strikes and maintained its stance on controlling maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, despite repeated US demands for relinquishing control. According to international law, Iran technically has an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the strait but cannot impede shipping under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The ongoing negotiations and tensions highlight the complex nature of the conflict between the US and Iran, with both sides seeking leverage through diplomatic channels while maintaining military readiness.
