Trump Halts Iran Strikes, Demands Hormuz Deal
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- Trump said on Saturday (August 1, 2026) the US and Israel had agreed to hold off on any new strikes on Iran, provided a deal to end the months-long conflict is quickly reached
- Trump posted on Truth Social that the US was "locked and loaded" with attacks at "levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II" before announcing the pause
- Trump set non-negotiable conditions: a deal must include the "Immediate, Complete and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT" and an end to Iran's nuclear threat, with Israel joining the commitment
- CBS News reported the US and Israel were planning joint strikes throughout the weekend, with oil refineries and power plants among possible targets before the hold-off
- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman called Trump on August 1 to urge de-escalation and refrain from launching the strikes, per Axios citing unnamed US officials
- The conflict began February 28 when the US and Israel struck Iran, and after more than five months of war, tit-for-tat attacks have resumed in recent weeks
Why it matters: Trump's pause is conditional and narrow — it lasts only until a deal covering both the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear program is secured, with strikes set to resume at unprecedented force if talks stall. Saudi Arabia's direct appeal shows Gulf states actively restraining escalation, while Israel's public alignment with the hold-off keeps a joint attack on the table the moment diplomacy breaks down.
