**Trump Cancels Planned Strikes on Iran, Citing Progress in Peace Talks**
In a significant development on Thursday, President Donald Trump announced the cancellation of new U.S. military strikes on Iran, attributing the decision to the approval of "final points" in an initial peace deal. The President indicated that details regarding a signing ceremony for the agreement would be forthcoming.
This announcement came shortly after Trump had stated that U.S. military operations against Iran would continue for a third consecutive night. The ongoing conflict, which has escalated since mid-March, has seen Trump repeatedly assert that a deal to end hostilities is imminent.
While the Iranian government did not immediately respond to Trump's latest statement, reports from Iran's semi-official Fars news agency suggested that Tehran had not yet approved the text of any agreement. However, both Iranian and Western sources indicated that negotiations aimed at reaching an interim deal to cease hostilities had intensified.
Since early April, a fragile ceasefire has been in effect. Three Iranian sources reported that a political understanding had been achieved, although several critical issues remain unresolved. Among these are the mechanisms for the release of tens of billions of dollars of Iranian oil revenues that have been frozen in foreign banks. The proposed deal is expected to temporarily ease Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz and lift the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports.
Notably, unresolved questions regarding Iran's nuclear development program and its stockpile of highly enriched uranium are anticipated to be deferred for future discussions. This aspect of the negotiations raises concerns among critics within Trump’s Republican Party, who argue that any agreement must effectively prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Analysts have pointed out that Trump is likely wary of comparisons between any new deal and the 2015 nuclear agreement, which he has criticized as too lenient. Trump withdrew the U.S. from that accord in 2018 during his first term, a move that has shaped the current geopolitical landscape.
In a social media post, Trump stated, “Discussions and final points have been, in both concept and great detail, approved by all parties involved.” He also emphasized that the naval blockade would remain in place until the deal is finalized, adding that the time and location of the signing would be announced shortly.
Since mid-April, the U.S. has enforced a blockade on ships entering or leaving Iranian ports, a strategy aimed at exerting pressure on Tehran. Trump's announcement had a notable impact on financial markets, with U.S. stocks rising and oil prices declining in response to the news.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties, particularly in Iran and Lebanon, and has contributed to rising global oil prices since the U.S. and Israel initiated airstrikes on Iran on February 28. As the situation continues to evolve, the international community watches closely to see if the announced peace deal will materialize and what implications it may have for regional stability and global energy markets.