Trump pauses US strikes on Iran as fresh push for peace gains momentum

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has ordered a pause in planned military strikes on Iran, saying diplomatic efforts have made significant progress toward a broader agreement aimed at ending months of hostilities and reducing tensions across the Middle East. 

Trump said the decision followed what he described as an understanding on the broad parameters of a potential peace deal. According to the proposed framework, Iran would move toward eliminating concerns over its nuclear programme while allowing the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. 

The US president said the planned military operation had been put on hold in the interest of global security and regional stability, stressing that the pause depends on rapid progress toward a final agreement. He also indicated that Israel supports the diplomatic initiative. 

The decision came after intensive regional diplomacy, including consultations with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who reportedly warned of the risks that further military escalation could pose to energy infrastructure and regional security. 

Despite the breakthrough, US officials cautioned that the situation remains fragile. Washington has maintained travel advisories across parts of the Middle East amid concerns that tensions could quickly flare up again if negotiations collapse. 

The conflict began earlier this year after joint US-Israeli military operations against Iranian targets, triggering months of retaliatory attacks and repeated disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz. Several previous attempts at securing a lasting ceasefire failed, making the latest diplomatic push one of the most significant efforts to end the conflict.