President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he would halt new planned strikes against Iran, pending renewed negotiations to end the conflict and restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The five‑month war, initiated after Israeli and U.S. attacks on Iran in February, has contributed to rising oil and commodity prices. Each announcement of a pause has been followed by renewed attacks within hours or days, raising questions about the durability of the ceasefires.

Trump made the statement in Tel Aviv and said the pause was subject to a rapid diplomatic breakthrough. Previous announcements have followed a similar pattern. On April 7, Trump said the United States and Iran had agreed to a two‑week ceasefire less than two hours before a deadline he set for Tehran to capitulate or face strikes on bridges and power plants; the truce ended on May 8 when the United States struck Iranian tankers. On April 21, he announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire, saying mediators had asked Iran to present additional proposals, and the arrangement held until May 8. On May 18, after a weekend of threats, Trump said he was holding off on a major strike because “serious negotiations” were underway, but strikes resumed on May 27 after talks faltered. On June 11, he warned that the United States would hit Iran “very hard” that night and take “total control” of its oil and gas industries, then posted on social media that negotiations had succeeded and called off the strikes. On June 17, Trump signed an initial agreement with Iran calling for a permanent end to hostilities and the reopening of the strait, while noting he could resume bombing if he did not approve the deal. On July 7, after Iranian attacks on commercial vessels, Trump ordered new strikes while in Ankara, later threatening to “finish the job.” On July 27, he said he was pausing two weeks of daily strikes to give negotiations another chance; the pause ended after 13 days when Iran launched missiles and drones across the region. On August 1, after telling reporters the United States would strike “very hard,” Trump announced on social media that he had canceled planned strikes, claiming that regional allies had reached a deal to end the war, including reopening the strait, and that a deal must be reached quickly for the “future benefit of the world” and “the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran.” Iran’s defense minister said the country was “neither surprised nor passive” and remains alert.

Negotiations are ongoing and the durability of the pause remains uncertain.