President Donald Trump said he canceled planned military strikes against Iran, a stark reversal that came just hours after he vowed to hit the Islamic Republic “VERY HARD” and threatened to seize its oil infrastructure. Trump on Thursday cited what he said were “discussions” that “have been brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership” surrounding a negotiated end to the war. He said that a “time and place of the signing” would “be announced shortly,” without providing further details. “I have, as President of the United States of America, cancelled the scheduled strikes and bombings against Iran this evening,” Trump posted on social media. Oil prices plunged nearly 4%, with Brent trading below $90 a barrel after Trump’s comments. Iran has yet to comment on Trump’s statement. The comments marked the latest conflicting signal Trump has sent about the status of the war, vacillating between threats of intensified attacks and insisting a peace deal is within reach. Neither scenario has yet to materialize, as Washington and Tehran have remained stuck on key points, including Iran’s nuclear program and frozen assets. Trump said that “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 list did not include Iran.
The president added that the US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz “will remain in full force and effect until this Transaction is finalized.”