Trump agrees to delay Iran attack as deal efforts continue

United States President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he would hold off on a planned attack on Iran if a deal could be reached quickly to curb Tehran's nuclear programme and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said Iran and "other Middle Eastern Countries" had requested time to complete a deal that would lead to the "immediate, complete and total" reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and "an end to Iran's nuclear threat".

"Based on this request, I have agreed, for the future benefit of the WORLD and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL," Trump wrote.

He also said Israel supported the decision, writing: "Israel joins me in this commitment." Israel did not immediately issue a public statement.

Iran, meanwhile, warned the United States against any military action, saying it would respond decisively if American forces carried out further attacks on Iranian targets.

According to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi's Telegram account, he told Pakistan's Chief of Defence Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in separate phone calls that Iran would respond to any "aggression" and discussed the consequences of "destabilising actions" by the US.

Araqchi later told Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan that any attacks by the US or Israel, or participation by regional countries in such actions, would receive a proportionate response.

A US official told Axios that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke to Trump on Saturday to express concern and seek clarity about US plans regarding Iran. A White House official also confirmed the call to Reuters but did not provide details.

The Saudi Press Agency later reported that the crown prince stressed the "necessity of prioritising dialogue to de-escalate tensions" in the Middle East.