In a significant shift, President Trump has canceled a planned military strike on Iran following a request from Tehran and other Middle Eastern nations, citing an agreement framework.
Doha, Qatar Aug 2, 2026 ALN: In a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, President Donald Trump has announced the cancellation of a planned military strike against Iran. This decision comes after Iran and other Middle Eastern countries requested a pause in military actions, indicating that the parameters of a potential deal have been agreed upon.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised President Trump’s decisive strategy against Tehran, stating that the Iranian regime has never encountered an American leader who acts with such directness. In an interview with Fox News, Rubio reflected on Washington's approach to the Islamic Republic and highlighted a sharp shift from past precedent, asserting that Tehran can no longer rely on usual tactics to evade consequences.
Detailing the impact of recent military actions, Rubio stated that U.S. strikes have "severely degraded" Iran's defensive capabilities, claiming that the regime has lost the conventional shield it once relied on for protection.
“They still have missiles and they still have drones, and they can still do damage,” Rubio acknowledged. He emphasized, however, that Iran no longer possesses the "conventional shield that they were going to hide behind." He asserted this as the reason why Iran now appears eager to negotiate deals regarding denuclearization and the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing that Washington is dealing from a position of absolute strength.
July 8: The U.S. resumed strikes on Iran after Tehran attacked ships it said had used an unauthorized route through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump later declared the ceasefire was over.
After the strikes: Iran launched retaliatory attacks targeting what it described as U.S.-linked assets in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, and Qatar, as well as vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Four U.S. soldiers were killed in Jordan and Iraq.
July 20: Houthis announced a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea, widening the conflict’s regional impact.
July 25: The U.S. paused its bombing campaign after 13 consecutive nights of strikes, with Trump saying Washington and Tehran were engaged in “good talks.”
July 28: Trump met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House as diplomatic efforts continued.
July 31: Trump warned that the U.S. would continue hitting Iran “very hard” until Tehran could no longer withstand the pressure, fueling fears of renewed attacks.
August 1: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held talks with officials from Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, warning that any U.S. or Israeli “aggression” would face a “decisive and proportionate response.”
August 2: Trump said the U.S. and Israel would pause planned strikes after Iran and other regional countries requested a delay, claiming the “parameters” of a possible deal had been agreed. Iran has not officially confirmed accepting the proposal.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Iran is now more willing to negotiate on its nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz following U.S. military strikes. In an interview with Fox News, Rubio claimed the attacks had damaged Iran’s navy, air force, missile defenses, launch systems, and weapons-production facilities, weakening its ability to respond.
“It's changed the whole dynamic,” Rubio said, arguing that Iran was now more open to talks because the U.S. was negotiating “from a position of strength.”
However, he acknowledged that Iran still has missiles and drones capable of causing damage, despite what he described as a major reduction in its defensive capabilities.
“The U.S.A. is locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II.
“Despite this, we have just been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern countries, to hold off any attack because the perimeters of a deal have been agreed to.
“This would include the immediate, complete and total opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat.
“Based on this request, I have agreed, for the future benefit of the world and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a deal.
“The country of Israel joins me in this commitment. Get to work, everybody, and get it done.
“Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
In a statement shared on his Truth Social account, Trump said the U.S. military had been prepared to launch an operation against Iran with “strength and power not seen since World War II.”
However, he said Iran and other regional countries had asked Washington to hold back from an attack because the framework of a deal had been agreed.
Trump said the proposed agreement would include the “immediate, complete and total opening” of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned that Tehran would respond firmly to any further U.S. “aggression” following separate calls with regional officials on Saturday.
According to posts on his Telegram channel, Araghchi told Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir that Iran would deliver a “decisive” response to any “adventurous action” by Washington.
Fidan also confirmed the conversation on social media, saying the two officials discussed the latest developments in the ongoing negotiation process.
A large fire broke out in Iraq’s Sulaimaniyah city following a drone attack, according to Iraqi media reports. The attack targeted the Peshmerga’s 70th Brigade headquarters, but air defenses intercepted the drones, Shafaq News reported.
The outlet said debris from an intercepted drone fell near the headquarters and caught fire. Videos shared online by Rudaw showed flames and smoke rising from the site.
No group has claimed responsibility for the drone attack. However, Lebanese outlet Al Mayadeen reported that Iran-backed groups in Iraq were behind the strike, while Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency described the targeted site as a base linked to “anti-Iran terrorists.”
Iran has carried out several strikes against Kurdish opposition groups in Iraq since the U.S. and Israel launched their war on Iran on February 28.
Day 152: Trump announces Hamas disarmament deal
Day 151: GCC condemns renewed Iranian attacks on Kuwait, Jordan
Day 150: U.S., Saudi forces strike Iran-backed militias in Iraq
Day 149: Trump holds 'positive' talks with Zelenskyy, Netanyahu
Day 148: Saudi air defenses foil drone attack on oil facilities
Day 147: Iran says military ready as Netanyahu heads to U.S.
Day 146: Iran says it earned $11.5b in oil sales during the war
Day 145: U.S.-Iran war escalates as Tehran targets U.S. bases in Gulf
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