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President Trump announced Thursday that he has called off planned military strikes against Iran after receiving what he described as a finalized proposal from Tehran aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and launching formal nuclear negotiations.

In a statement posted to Truth Social, Trump said the Iranian proposal had received approval from the country’s top leadership and that diplomatic efforts had reached a critical breakthrough.

“Based on the fact that discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran have been brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved, I have, as President of the United States of America, cancelled the scheduled strikes and bombings against Iran this evening,” he said.

Trump added that negotiations had progressed to the point where all major participants had agreed to the core framework and final details of the arrangement.

“Discussions and final points have been, in both concept and great detail, approved by all parties involved, including the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, and others. The Naval Blockade will remain in full force and effect until this Transaction is finalized — Time and place of the signing to be announced shortly.”

The announcement followed a report first published by The New York Post indicating that Iran had delivered a final draft agreement to Qatari mediators on Wednesday evening.

His announcement came after The NY Post first reported Iran had submitted a final draft of an agreement to Qatari mediators on Wednesday night.

Later Thursday, Trump told The Post that the long-anticipated understanding with Tehran was essentially complete and that the remaining details were largely procedural.

President Trump on Thursday told The Post the long-awaited agreement to begin nuclear negotiations with Tehran is “all wrapped up,” following his announcement that he had called off planned strikes on Iran.

“It’s pretty much all wrapped up,” he said in a brief phone call with The NY Post.

The development marks a dramatic shift after weeks of military escalation and growing speculation that the United States could target Iran’s strategic Kharg Island energy hub. Instead, attention has now turned toward a diplomatic process that could reopen negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program while preserving the existing US naval blockade until a final agreement is signed.

It comes after we first reported Iran had finalized and submitted a draft memorandum of understanding to Qatari mediators on Wednesday night.

{Matzav.com}

President Trump dramatically raised the stakes in the conflict with Iran on Thursday, declaring that the United States could take control of Kharg Island — the critical hub through which most Iranian oil exports pass — while also signaling uncertainty about whether such a move would ultimately occur.

In a Truth Social post issued Thursday morning, Trump suggested the US could seize Kharg Island and other key energy assets as military operations against Iran intensified for a third consecutive night following the downing of an American Apache helicopter.

“At some point in the not too distant future, we will be taking Kharg Island, and other oil infrastructure points, and assume total control of their Oil and Gas Markets, much like we have with Venezuela,” Trump wrote on Truth Social after 8 a.m.

“The United States will be hitting Iran… VERY HARD TONIGHT.”

Less than an hour later, however, Trump appeared to leave the door open to other options during an interview on “Fox & Friends,” declining to commit to such a dramatic military step and leaving Tehran uncertain about Washington’s intentions.

“I don’t know that America has the stomach for it, to be honest with you. You’re gonna make a fortune, but I don’t know that America has the stomach,” Trump told the TV program.

“I think they’d like to see us come home, but we did it with Venezuela. Venezuela has worked out great for everybody.”

Since April 13, US naval forces have maintained a blockade around Iran’s ports. American officials argue that Iran’s oil distribution system depends heavily on infrastructure that continuously routes crude oil to Kharg Island, making it difficult for Tehran to halt those flows.

Trump acknowledged that public support for a ground operation may be limited even as he emphasized America’s military advantage while seeking to pressure Iran into finalizing a peace framework.

“I’m not sure the country has the appetite” for a land mission — despite saying there could be one as he tries to strong-arm Iranian officials to finalize a memorandum of understanding to end the war.

“They are finished. We can walk in there tomorrow,” Trump taunted on Fox.

“We could take soldiers. I don’t want to have boots on the ground, but if I wanted to, we could put a small group of soldiers and take over the whole place. They’re finished.”

The president also suggested that his willingness to reach an agreement has diminished as the conflict has dragged on.

“I’d like to get a deal now less than three or four weeks ago.”

The recent shootdown of a US Apache helicopter by an Iranian drone has complicated diplomatic efforts, although officials on both sides continue to indicate that negotiations remain underway. Sources familiar with the discussions say there is broad agreement in principle that Iran would ultimately dismantle its nuclear weapons program.

Even as talks continue behind the scenes, Iranian leaders have maintained a confrontational public stance. Senior officials sharply criticized the latest round of American airstrikes, which resumed despite a cease-fire that had held uneasily for roughly two months.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi tweeted Tuesday: “Leave our region if you want to be safe. History of the Persian Gulf has many chapters on dire fates of intruding outsiders.”

Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of Iran’s parliament and a top peace negotiator, wrote: “We prefer the language of diplomacy, but we speak other languages far more fluently. Break your commitments, and we’ll switch to what we speak best. You ride the horse you saddled!”

Although Trump has previously considered striking Kharg Island during Operation Epic Fury, he has thus far stopped short of targeting the heart of Iran’s petroleum industry, viewing its long-term economic viability as an important factor in any postwar settlement.

American attacks resumed Tuesday night after the helicopter was shot down over the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran retaliated by launching missiles toward US military installations in Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait.

The two sides had been operating under a fragile cease-fire reached on April 8, but Trump dismissed that arrangement Wednesday evening, calling it “the most violated cease-fire in the history of the world.” He subsequently ordered military operations to resume, accusing Iran of repeatedly testing American restraint.

During the pause in fighting, Iran disrupted commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, causing concern among global energy markets because roughly 20% of the world’s seaborne oil supply passes through the strategic waterway.

In response, Trump directed the US military to impose a naval blockade aimed at increasing economic pressure on the Iranian regime.

According to US Central Command, American forces intercepted another vessel Wednesday night that attempted to breach the blockade, marking the third such confrontation this week.

Officials said the tanker, operating in the Gulf of Oman, repeatedly ignored commands issued by US military personnel before being disabled.

CENTCOM reports that nine vessels have been disabled since the blockade began, while 135 ships have been diverted from restricted areas. At the same time, 42 humanitarian shipments have been allowed to proceed.

Trump also touted what he described as a major success in protecting international oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

“Today, I am pleased to announce that this effort has resulted in more than 100 MILLION Barrels of Oil making its way through the Strait, and into the Open Market,” Trump crowed on Truth Social. “More than 200 Commercial Ships have safely traveled through the Strait. This wildly successful effort is because the UNITED STATES of AMERICA CONTROLS the Strait of Hormuz — NOT Iran.”

“Their military is defeated, and their economy is lost. It’s over for Iran!”

Despite repeated assertions from the White House that an agreement is within reach, significant obstacles remain. Chief among them is Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, much of which is believed to be stored deep underground in fortified facilities.

Experts estimate that Iran possesses roughly 1,000 pounds of uranium enriched to 60% purity, placing it only a short technical distance from weapons-grade material.

The country is also believed to maintain substantial reserves of uranium enriched to lower levels, including large quantities at 20% purity and below.

The Iranians claimed to have enough 60% enriched uranium to manufacture 11 nuclear bombs, special envoy Steve Witkoff claimed shortly after the start of Operation Epic Fury, Feb. 28.

{Matzav.com}

Iran fired a new wave of missiles at three key American partners in the Middle East early Thursday, escalating regional tensions after US forces carried out another round of military strikes against Iranian targets.

The Islamic Republic launched attacks toward Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait, marking the second consecutive day that those countries have come under fire following American military action against Tehran.

All three nations host US military personnel and facilities. While Iranian missiles were aimed at areas connected to American operations, no US service members were reported injured.

According to a military source who spoke with The Post, US Central Command successfully intercepted the incoming threats and prevented any strikes from reaching American installations.

Jordanian authorities said their air defenses shot down 20 Iranian missiles headed toward a region where US troops are stationed. No casualties were reported.

Kuwait temporarily shut down its airspace as a precautionary measure for several hours, though officials did not provide details regarding any possible damage.

In Bahrain, officials reported limited civilian impacts from the attack. The Interior Ministry said debris from interception efforts damaged homes and vehicles and injured an 11-year-old girl.

The missile barrage followed a major overnight US military operation. According to US Central Command, American forces conducted roughly four hours of strikes that concluded shortly before sunrise in Iran.

CENTCOM said the operation focused on degrading the regime’s “military surveillance capabilities, communication systems and air defense sites.”

A source familiar with the campaign said the strikes concentrated on radar installations and missile facilities located along Iran’s coastline.

Residents reported hearing blasts in several locations, including Tehran, Bandar Abbas, and other areas near the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard later acknowledged damage to multiple sites, saying a manufacturing facility, a military installation, and a Guard base outside Tehran had been struck.

During the operation, President Trump told Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst that the US military launched 49 Tomahawk missiles against targets inside Iran. He also said American aircraft struck radar networks and air-defense positions around the Persian Gulf.

Trump further asserted that Iranian officials had privately appealed for the bombing campaign to stop while he monitored developments from the White House Situation Room. He warned that the attacks would intensify if Tehran failed to accept a US-backed peace framework, pledging to “bomb the s— out of them tomorrow night.”

Although Trump has repeatedly indicated that a diplomatic breakthrough may be within reach, the latest exchange of attacks has underscored how far apart the two sides remain on several key issues.

One of Washington’s primary demands is that Iran surrender its stockpile of nearly 1,000 pounds of highly enriched uranium. US officials believe much of the material remains hidden in underground facilities following last year’s strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites.

Iran has refused to relinquish the uranium reserve and is simultaneously seeking sanctions relief. Tehran is also demanding access to frozen financial assets before any final agreement is completed, a proposal Trump has rejected.

Another major sticking point involves Hezbollah. Iranian officials insist that any settlement ending the conflict must also halt fighting between the Lebanese terror group and Israel, a condition Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has refused to accept.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts continued behind the scenes. A Qatari delegation that had been conducting mediation talks in coordination with the United States departed Tehran on Thursday morning, according to an official familiar with the negotiations who spoke anonymously.

Pakistan also weighed in on the growing crisis, expressing alarm over the escalation and urging both Washington and Tehran to honor the cease-fire that officially took effect on April 8.

That cease-fire has been repeatedly tested in recent weeks. Speaking to Yingst on Wednesday night, Trump described it as “the most violated cease-fire in the history of the world.”

{Matzav.com}