From The Brink Of War To A ‘Great Settlement’: Trump Halts Iran Strikes
President Trump announced on Thursday that a “great settlement” has been reached with Iran. After threatening serious military escalation earlier in the day, he called off scheduled bombings and said a final agreement could be signed as soon as this weekend in Europe. Iran has not yet confirmed the deal.
The situation shifted quickly. Earlier on Thursday, Trump warned that the U.S. would launch “very hard” strikes within hours and seize key Iranian oil infrastructure, including Kharg Island. He later softened his tone during an interview on Fox News, questioning if America actually had the appetite for that level of conflict.
By the afternoon, he took to Truth Social to officially cancel the evening’s planned attacks. He explained that discussions had reached the highest levels of Iranian leadership and a conceptual deal was on the table.
According to the president, the details of this agreement have been approved by a wide range of nations. He listed the U.S., Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, and Egypt.
When asked by reporters why he believes this deal will actually stick, Trump said Iran has “taken a pounding like very few people could take.” He added that Iranian leaders want to make a deal even more than he does. He also noted his understanding that Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has approved the terms.
A major focus of the settlement involves nuclear capabilities. Trump told reporters that Iran has agreed they will never have a nuclear weapon. While he acknowledged that some nuclear material is currently buried deep underground, he stressed that Iran will not purchase or develop any nuclear weapons in any shape or form moving forward.
Vice President JD Vance is expected to travel to Europe for the signing ceremony, as Trump stated he will not be attending. Once the documents are finalized and signed, the U.S. plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Until that happens, the president confirmed the naval blockade will remain in full force.
Despite the optimistic news from the Oval Office, tensions remain high on the ground. General Ali Abdollahi, a top Iranian military commander, issued a stern warning on Thursday. He stated that if the U.S. attempts any new attacks, Iran will deliver a harsher response than before, warning that the flames of war would become more widespread and far-reaching.
Trump Scraps Iran Strike, Cites Ceasefire Progress Hours After Threatening Oil Takeover