Trump says Iran peace deal is near after threatening new strikes
Trump said he halted new strikes on Iran and expects a ceasefire extension soon, even after warning of harder attacks hours earlier.
Intelligence analysis by GPT-5.4 Mini
Trump abruptly shifted from threatening Iran's oil industry to saying a deal was near and new strikes were off. Iran said talks were still unfinished, while the standoff kept pressure on the region, energy markets and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump first talked tough about hitting Iran, then quickly said peace talks were close. It is like two kids yelling about a fight, then suddenly deciding to pause and talk before things get worse.
Analysis
A fast reversal
Donald Trump said Thursday that he had called off plans for fresh military strikes on Iran and expected a deal to extend the fragile ceasefire within days. That came only hours after he warned Iran that the United States could hit it “very hard” and take control of its oil and gas industries.
Talks still unfinished
Trump presented the moment as a breakthrough, but Iran’s Foreign Ministry struck a more cautious tone. A spokesperson said mediators were still active and that nothing had been finalized. According to the ministry, the text of a deal was “mostly finalised,” but tensions in Washington’s position were slowing the process.
What is at stake
The ceasefire has been the main pause in a conflict that began on February 28 after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran. This week’s back-and-forth attacks between Iran, Israel, and the US pushed the region closer to renewed full-scale war. The article says the fighting has also involved countries hosting US troops.
A central issue is Iran’s nuclear programme, which Washington and Jerusalem fear could be used for a weapon, while Tehran says it is peaceful. Another is the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for oil and gas shipments. Iran’s disruption of shipping there has already tightened global energy supplies, raised fuel prices, and made basic goods more expensive.
Trump’s rhetoric remained volatile. He threatened to seize Kharg Island, a key part of Iran’s oil export system, but then said in a Fox News interview that he did not know whether America had the appetite for that and did not want ground troops. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also said Washington could use frozen Iranian funds to help cover damage costs and any tolls Iran imposes on shipping.
Key points
- Trump said he had halted new military strikes on Iran and expected a ceasefire extension soon.
- Iran said mediators were still active and that no final deal had been reached.
- The conflict has already included back-and-forth attacks involving Iran, Israel and the US.
- The Strait of Hormuz remains a major pressure point because of its role in global energy shipping.
- Trump also floated targeting Iran's oil assets before backing away from the idea.
If the ceasefire extension holds, it could buy both sides time to keep talking instead of trading more strikes. That could lower pressure on shipping lanes and give negotiators room to work on Iran’s nuclear issue.
The article shows how easily the situation can swing back to attacks, especially with Trump’s rapid changes in tone. If talks stall again, the conflict could intensify, disrupt energy shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and push prices higher.
