WASHINGTON, D.C. / RankWire.AI / – President Donald Trump said the United States would cancel a planned attack on Iran if negotiators reached a rapid agreement. He said the proposed deal must reopen the Strait of Hormuz and address Iran’s nuclear activities. Trump also said Israel supported efforts to complete the arrangement. His announcement halted preparations for another round of U.S. strikes. Officials had not released a signed agreement or detailed terms by Monday morning.
Iran did not confirm Trump’s account that Tehran had asked Washington to stop the attack. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said talks with Oman over navigation routes had entered their final stages. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said those discussions focused on a new route through the waterway. He separated those talks from decisions about fully opening or closing the strait. Iran’s armed forces also remained on alert after the U.S. announcement.
Trump spoke after a telephone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Saudi Arabia said the crown prince urged dialogue and lower regional tensions during the conversation. Trump had earlier named Jared Kushner, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as participants in the diplomatic effort. The White House did not publish a timetable for completing the talks. Saudi Arabia has continued to support negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
Talks focus on nuclear and shipping issues
The United States and Israel began strikes against Iran on February 28. Washington said the operation targeted Iranian missile capabilities and nuclear facilities. An interim agreement stopped the fighting for a limited period in June. The arrangement later collapsed, and military action resumed. Iran has continued to deny that it seeks a nuclear weapon while defending its right to pursue civilian nuclear technology.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a central issue because it carries a large share of global energy supplies. Before the conflict, about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas passed through the route. Iran has restricted much of the traffic, slowing tanker movements and raising shipping costs. Maritime authorities reported several recent security incidents near Oman. One projectile damaged a tanker’s engine room, while authorities reported no casualties in the weekend incidents.
Oil prices fall after attack suspension
Oil prices declined sharply on Monday after Trump announced the suspension of the planned U.S. attack. Brent crude fell $4.49, or 5.1%, to $83.44 a barrel in early trading. U.S. West Texas Intermediate dropped $4.90, or 5.8%, to $79.77 a barrel. Both benchmarks had risen more than 20% in July as fighting intensified near key shipping lanes. OPEC+ also approved a September production increase of about 188,000 barrels per day.
No final nuclear, shipping or security agreement had emerged by early Monday. Trump left the planned strike canceled on the condition that negotiators complete the deal quickly. Iran continued discussions with Oman while maintaining its military readiness. Israel said it remained in close security coordination with the United States. The talks cover access through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear program and an end to the five-month conflict.
