Trump Cancels Scheduled Strikes Against Iran After Iran Says Ceasefire Practically Meaningless

President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on Thursday afternoon that he had “cancelled the scheduled strikes and bombings against Iran this evening,” after saying discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran were brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved.

“What to know about the Iran war today: - President Trump said Thursday that a "great settlement" has been reached, and a signing could take place as soon as this weekend, likely in Europe”

CBS News

The Independent said the missive came after Iran declared the ceasefire with Washington “practically meaningless” after US forces fired 49 Tomahawk missiles on Wednesday, and it added that on Thursday both sides traded strikes for the second day in a row.

CBS News

Trump also threatened to seize Kharg Island, a strategic hub for oil exports, after striking the country “VERY HARD,” and the Independent reported Tehran condemned the “illegal and criminal attacks” by the US and warned US leaders will be held responsible.

In response to US Central Command describing its attacks as “self-defense,” the Independent reported Iran launched strikes targeting 18 US airbases in the Gulf region, forcing the Kuwaiti government to temporarily shut its airspace and Bahrain to sound air sirens.

CNN later quoted Trump saying, “I don’t know if you heard, but we ended the war with Iran today,” while also noting Iran had not confirmed any agreement has been reached.

While Trump said final points and concepts of a potential deal had been approved by “all parties involved,” CNN reported Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson said reports of a deal were “merely speculation” and that Tehran had not yet made a final decision on any deal.

CBS News said Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei told Agence France-Presse that “So far, Iran has not reached a final conclusion on the agreement,” after Trump declared a “great settlement” and said signing could take place as soon as this weekend.

CNN

CBS News also reported that Fars News Agency, associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, quoted a “knowledgeable source close to the Iranian negotiating team” denying the president’s claim and stating that “no text of the initial memorandum of understanding with the United States has been approved.”

The Guardian described Trump’s announcement that the Strait of Hormuz would open “as soon as we sign” the documents of the “great settlement,” while it said Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson told state media that “So far, Iran has not reached a final conclusion on the agreement.”

In a separate account, PressTV quoted Esmaeil Baghaei saying, “Textually, the text has almost been finalized in its major parts,” while arguing that “the contradictory positions of the United States have always caused turbulence and disruption in this process.”

The Guardian reported that Iran’s top joint military command announced the closure of the strait, including oil tankers and commercial ships, saying any vessel that attempted passage would be shot at, and it described Iranian media reporting explosion sounds near Bandar Abbas.

“Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson has said that major sections of a potential understanding aimed at ending the imposed war are close to completion, despite Washington’s contradictory positions and repeated acts of military aggression aimed at disrupting the diplomatic process”

PressTV

CNN said Trump claimed the Strait of Hormuz would reopen after an agreement is signed, while it also reported that Trump said the US blockade of ships going exiting or entering Iranian ports would continue until “this Transaction is finalized.”

CBS News said first steps in the emerging framework include ensuring “freedom of trade” by demining and opening the Strait of Hormuz, and it described a 60 days of talks period to negotiate details of a U.S.-Iran agreement.

In PressTV’s account of Iran’s position, Esmaeil Baghaei said the United States made the strategic waterway unsafe through aggressive attacks, and he stated, “The sole reason for this situation is America’s illegal and aggressive actions,” while confirming warnings were issued to all vessels.

The Independent added that Trump told reporters a deal could be signed as soon as this weekend in Europe, even as it reported Tehran warned US leaders will be held responsible for “illegal and criminal attacks” that violate the UN Charter.