Trump Halts Iran Strike, Demands Hormuz Opening and Nuclear Deal

President Trump announced he cancelled planned U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, saying the decision was made at the request of Iran and several Middle Eastern countries, conditional on Iran reaching a deal 'quickly.' The framework Trump outlined requires the immediate and complete reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to Iran's nuclear threat. Secretary of State Rubio stated on Fox News that prior U.S. strikes weakened Iran's defensive capabilities and made Tehran more open to negotiations on both the nuclear file and Hormuz. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly called Trump on Saturday and urged him to refrain from launching strikes and to de-escalate, according to Axios as cited by Middle East Eye. Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi had warned Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia that any U.S. or Israeli aggression would meet a 'decisive response,' while American embassies across the Middle East had warned citizens to prepare to depart.