Trump says Middle East allies have outlined deal to end Iran conflict, pauses new strikes

President Donald Trump posted on social media Saturday that Middle East allies have reached the outlines of an agreement that would end the war with Iran. He said the proposed deal would include the immediate, complete, and total opening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat, and that he had agreed to cancel further attacks pending a rapid settlement.

Trump added that Israel has pledged to work with the United States to finalize the agreement. Iran has not issued an immediate public response.

The statement came a day after Trump told reporters he was close to resuming heavy strikes to pressure Tehran. The conflict began on Feb. 28 when the United States and Israel launched attacks aimed at degrading Iran’s missile capabilities and preventing a nuclear weapon, but the objectives and timelines have shifted repeatedly.

An interim cease-fire reached in mid-June collapsed within weeks after Iran resumed attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. On the same day as Trump’s announcement, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke with the president about concerns that a broader U.S. strike on Iranian energy infrastructure could provoke retaliatory attacks on Gulf energy sites. A White House official confirmed the call but declined to provide details.

Saudi Arabia earlier this week joined U.S. strikes on logistics and weapons sites used by Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and has urged both sides back to negotiations. The crown prince also sent his brother, Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman, to Washington for talks on Iran strategy.

Trump met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday, the first in-person meeting since the war began, and Netanyahu has urged continuation of the campaign.

The conflict, which remains unpopular among many Americans, is unfolding weeks before the November midterm elections. The State Department issued new security alerts for U.S. citizens in ten regional countries, warning of possible travel disruptions.

Separately, Kuwait reported that its forces responded to drone attacks on facilities in its north, and the British navy said a tanker and another vessel were struck near the Strait of Hormuz, with no casualties reported.