US President Donald Trump walked back his threat to strike Iran “hard” tonight, citing progress being made in peace negotiations.
“Based on the fact that discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran have been brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved, I have, as President of the United States of America, cancelled the scheduled strikes and bombings against Iran this evening”, the Republican president wrote on Truth Social on Thursday afternoon.
He added that “discussions and final points” have been “approved by all parties involved”, with a formal announcement set to be unveiled soon. He later told reporters that a deal could be signed as soon as this weekend.
Just hours earlier, Trump had issued a bombastic warning, threatening to seize Kharg Island, a strategic hub for oil exports, after striking the country “VERY HARD”.
The missive came after Iran declared the ceasefire with Washington “practically meaningless” after U.S. forces fired 49 Tomahawk missiles on Wednesday. On Thursday, both sides traded strikes for the second day in a row, leaving a fragile ceasefire in jeopardy.
Tehran condemned the “illegal and criminal attacks” by the US — which they claimed violate the UN Charter — and warned US leaders will be held responsible. US Central Command described its attacks on military surveillance and air defense sites as a form of “self-defense”.
In response, Iran launched strikes targeting 18 US airbases in the Gulf region, forcing the Kuwaiti government to temporarily shut its airspace and Bahrain to sound air sirens.
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