President Trump calls off massive Iranian strikes to pursue imminent deal on Strait of Hormuz and denuclearization
President Trump held off on a massive military strike against Iran over the weekend, opting instead to give diplomacy another chance. The administration announced that the move follows requests from Gulf allies and Tehran to avoid the "biggest attacks since World War II." President Trump stated that a deal is imminent, focusing on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the ultimate denuclearization of Iran. However, Iranian leadership has publicly disputed the claim of immediate negotiations, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei clarifying that Tehran is currently only in talks with Oman. President Trump described the Iranian leadership as "unbelievably duplicitous" for asking for a meeting while simultaneously claiming they are not yet in direct discussions with Washington. Despite the diplomatic shifts, the administration continues to maintain a position of strength, asserting that nothing will progress unless a deal or total surrender is achieved. The move has already begun to impact markets, with oil prices falling and stocks rising as investors react to the potential for apaced conflict.