Topic overview
In brief
- President Trump announced that Iran and other Middle Eastern countries requested the U.S. to refrain from attacking Iran.
- He stated that the U.S. military was prepared for action but agreed to cancel the attack pending a deal.
- The announcement reflects a significant shift in U.S. policy and public sentiment against military engagement in Iran.
Summary
On August 1, 2026, President Donald Trump stated on social media that Iran and other Middle Eastern nations had requested the United States to refrain from launching an attack on Iran. This request came after reports indicated that the U.S. and Israel were preparing to target Iran's energy infrastructure over the weekend. Trump mentioned that the U.S. military was 'locked and loaded' and ready to act against Iran but decided to cancel the attack based on the request from Tehran and other nations, pending the ability to quickly negotiate a deal. He emphasized that Israel was involved in this commitment.
The proposed deal, according to Trump, would entail the immediate and complete opening of the Hormuz Strait and an end to Iran's nuclear threat. Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes, and as of the time of Trump's announcement, the Iranian government had not publicly responded to his claims. However, a semi-official Iranian news agency dismissed Trump's assertions as 'simply a new lie,' citing unnamed military officials.