US President Donald Trump has canceled the serious attacks on Iran announced for this evening. The Republican justified this on the Truth Social platform with conversations that had reached the highest level of the Iranian leadership.
According to Trump’s account, negotiations to pacify the conflict are close to a breakthrough. He wrote that discussions and final points were approved in detail by all parties involved, including the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt and others. Trump even promised a signing – the time and place would be announced shortly.
Shortly after Trump’s announcement, Iran said that no text on a framework agreement had yet been finalized. This was reported by the Iranian Fars news agency, which is close to the powerful Revolutionary Guards, citing a source connected to the negotiating team. Senior Iranian politicians did not initially comment on Trump’s words.
What is known about the diplomatic efforts
There have been efforts for weeks to reach a framework agreement to end the war. A possible agreement would probably initially mean in-depth negotiations. Recently, there has been no evidence that there has been any significant rapprochement on the main points of conflict between the US and Iran. Trump has also often expressed hope that a deal with Iran is imminent – but so far it has not happened.
A framework agreement was recently discussed that could open the Strait of Hormuz to shipping traffic. Among other things, Iran is pushing for the release of frozen assets. However, there were no clear reports about the exact status.
There are disputes over, among other things, shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, the war in Lebanon, sanctions against Iran and frozen Iranian assets abroad. The central point of conflict is the controversial Iranian nuclear program and the handling of the country’s highly enriched uranium. According to media reports, this issue could be discussed in greater depth within a 60-day period.
Trump: Stick to naval blockade for now
Trump further wrote that the US naval blockade against Iranian ships and ports would remain in full force until an agreement was finally reached. The USA was reacting to the de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran.
U-turn within a few hours
Just hours earlier, Trump had announced serious attacks on Iran that night. The US would hit the country “very hard,” he wrote on Truth Social.
He also threatened Tehran to take over Kharg Island, which is important to Iran’s oil industry, as well as other oil infrastructure points in the not too distant future. The US would gain “complete control” of Iran’s oil and gas markets. Iran’s most important oil port is located on the island of Kharg in the Persian Gulf. Almost all of the Islamic Republic’s oil exports are handled there. It is therefore of great strategic importance.
Trump wanted to increase pressure on Iran in the faltering diplomatic efforts.
Most recently, multiple mutual attacks
The USA and Iran fired at each other again on Thursday night. There had already been mutual attacks on Wednesday night. There has actually been a ceasefire between the warring parties for two months.
According to Iranian media, three people were injured in attacks in Tehran province. The “More” portal also reported, citing official sources, that in the early hours of the morning (local time) a ship loaded with basic foodstuffs was hit by a US missile in the Strait of Hormuz. The crew was rescued.
The US military spoke of attacks on military surveillance and communications systems as well as anti-aircraft defense systems in Iran.
How Iran responded to recent US attacks
The Iranian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the “large-scale” US attacks last night. After the US attacks, Iran’s military threatened to attack any ship that tried to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, which is important for oil and gas trade, according to a statement from the Iranian military leadership carried by state radio. According to the radio, two ships were said to have been shot at.
The US regional command Centcom, however, wrote on
Iran also attacked the Gulf states of Bahrain and Kuwait. According to local authorities, an eleven-year-old girl was injured in Bahrain. In the capital Manama and in the town of Hammad, several vehicles caught fire and residential buildings were damaged by falling debris after defending against Iranian drone fire.
According to its own statements, Jordan also intercepted 20 missiles fired from Iran during the night. In the east of the country, the US military has stationed combat aircraft, among other things, at a base.
