Trump walks back Iran strike threats, claims deal parameters reached

Jul 31, 2026

Former President Donald Trump announced he is canceling planned military strikes on Iran, claiming the parameters of a deal have been reached. The deal requires Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end its nuclear threat. The move follows a call from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who urged de-escalation amid fears of Iranian retaliation on Gulf energy infrastructure and a widening regional conflict.

US-Iran regional conflict escalation

▪The cancellation of US strikes is conditional on "rapidly" making a deal with Iran.
▪Donald Trump announced on social media he would cancel planned military strikes against Iran.
▪Iran warned it would retaliate decisively against any US strikes and against regional countries that cooperate.
▪A previous ceasefire in April fell apart in June, leading to escalating strikes and counter-strikes between the US and Iran.
▪Donald Trump stated that Israel joins the US in its commitment to the potential deal with Iran.
▪Kuwait's army reported destroying hostile drones launched by Iran against several facilities on its territory on Saturday.
▪The US State Department issued security alerts for its citizens across the Middle East, warning of potential travel disruptions.

Iraq militia strikes

▪The US and Saudi Arabia conducted joint airstrikes in Iraq against the Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), killing at least 20 fighters.
▪Saudi officials blamed the Iraqi-based militias for drone attacks against Saudi oil facilities on July 27.

Houthi Red Sea disruption

▪Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have attacked ships in the Red Sea, disrupting international shipping.
▪Houthi attacks have forced Saudi Arabia to reroute nearly half of its oil exports on a longer journey around Africa.

Saudi Arabia military response

▪Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called Donald Trump on Saturday to express concern about potential US strikes on Iran.
▪The Saudi Crown Prince urged Donald Trump to de-escalate the conflict and refrain from launching the strikes.
▪Saudi officials are concerned that US strikes could provoke Iranian retaliatory attacks on the kingdom's energy infrastructure.

Economic impact on Gulf states

▪Saudi Arabia’s GDP decreased by nearly 5% in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in the previous year.

Yemen war history

▪A UN-brokered ceasefire between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, agreed to in 2022, is now at risk of collapsing.
▪In 2015, Saudi Arabia led a military intervention in Yemen's civil war against the Houthi rebels.