Iran’s media outlets on Sunday denied US President Donald Trump’s claim that the Islamic Republic asked the United States to refrain from conducting new strikes.
Citing military officials, Iranian media said the allegation “was nothing but a new lie” and that the Iranian armed forces were “on high alert and ready for any eventuality”.
Trump said that the United States and Israel had agreed to hold off on new strikes on Iran — provided a deal to end the months-long conflict is “rapidly” reached.
On Saturday, Trump said the US was “ready to go against the Islamic Republic” but that Tehran and other Middle Eastern countries had asked him to hold off on fresh strikes.
“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 posted on his Truth Social platform.
The US president said the deal would have to include the “Immediate, Complete and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat.”
“The Country of Israel joins me in this commitment. Get to work, everybody, and get it DONE.”
This comes after US embassies in capitals across the Middle East had warned their citizens on Saturday to beware of “unforeseen escalation” in the regional conflict and urged them to be ready to leave.
CBS News said that the United States and Israel were planning joint strikes, possibly throughout the weekend, with oil refineries and power plants among possible targets.
But Trump said he ultimately decided to hold off on his threat of new attacks after requests from Gulf countries.
This came as Iran has effectively maintained control over navigation through Hormuz since the outbreak of the war on February 28, requiring vessels to obtain permission and pay transit fees before using the waterway. (AFP)
