President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States has agreed to pause attacks on Iran due to what he said were the “perimeters of a deal” being agreed upon.
“We have just been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries, to hold off any attack in that the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “This would include the Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat.”
Trump said the U.S. was “locked and loaded and ready to go” against Iran but that he agreed to cancel attacks “subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL.”
Trump’s announcement came hours after the State Department on Saturday urged Americans across the Middle East to leave the region or be prepared to depart. It also warned of flight disruptions and security risks.
“Americans currently in the Middle East should exercise caution and heightened vigilance and should be prepared for flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures, and potential travel disruptions,” the State Department said Saturday. “Some airlines in the region have postponed resumption of earlier flight schedules; others have cancelled some routes. Americans in the region should consider departing, or be prepared to depart should there be escalation.”
The warning was distributed through U.S. embassies in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
On Saturday, the Kuwait Army said its air defense systems intercepted drone attacks from Iran.
“Kuwaiti air defenses are currently engaging hostile drone attacks following the Iranian aggression. The General Staff of the Army notes that any explosions heard are a result of air defense systems intercepting the hostile attacks,” the army said.
The war has now entered its sixth month despite promises from Trump that he would be “ending it quickly”.
