News Summary
With editorial review.
- US President Donald Trump announced the postponement of a planned large-scale military strike against Iran based on a diplomatic agreement.
- Iranian officials accused the US of publicly threatening war while secretly attempting to negotiate.
- Despite tensions in the Middle East, the US is preparing to send 10 additional fuel tanker aircraft to Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport.
July 31, Kathmandu – US President Donald Trump announced that a major military strike on Iran has been temporarily called off. He stated the decision came after appeals from Iran and other Middle Eastern countries and the preparation of a preliminary draft agreement between both parties.
Trump shared on his social media platform Truth Social that although the US was fully prepared with its largest military power since World War II to attack Iran, it stepped back for the sake of a diplomatic deal.
“Iran and other Middle Eastern countries urged us to halt the attack because a framework for an agreement has been established. It includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz promptly and completely, and ending Iran’s nuclear threat,” Trump stated. “I have canceled the strike on the condition that an agreement will be reached soon. Israel is also aligned with the US on this decision.”
According to international media, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had a phone call with Trump, specifically requesting restraint and to avoid a major attack.
What did the US Secretary of State say?
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed in an interview with Fox News that the US military action prompted Iran to agree to talks.
Rubio said the attack inflicted severe damage on Iran’s navy, air force, missile defense, and weapons manufacturing centers.
“Iran still possesses missiles and drones capable of causing damage,” Rubio said, “but they have lost their traditional military protections to hide. This is why they now want to negotiate on nuclear disarmament and the reopening of the Strait.”
Iran’s Response: Accusing the US of Double Standards
Before Trump’s announcement, Iranian officials accused the US of displaying double standards. Hassan Ghaskavi, an Iranian parliament member and spokesperson for the National Security Committee, noted that while the US publicly threatens war, it negotiates through secret channels.
“They talk about escalating tensions in the media but request talks through clandestine channels,” Ghaskavi said. “The movement of ships in the Strait of Hormuz will be managed according to Iran’s regulations.”
Another Iranian parliamentarian, Ebrahim Rezaei, warned that if attacked, Iran’s response will not be limited to the Persian Gulf but will target all American military bases in the region, potentially sending them “back to the Stone Age.”
Majidreza Hariri, chairman of the Iran-China Chamber of Commerce, stated that the US would not dare to cause a nationwide blackout via airstrikes given Iran’s more than 150 power plants.
Analysts suggest that although a preliminary understanding was reached in June, ambiguity regarding control of the Strait of Hormuz escalated tensions. Until a clear agreement is signed by both sides, full resolution remains unlikely.
Current Situation in West Asia
Despite ongoing talks, military alertness and minor clashes continue across the Middle East. The US is preparing to deploy 10 additional fuel tanker aircraft to Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, which already hosts over 30 such planes.
A drone attack recently caused a major fire at the headquarters of the 70th Brigade of Kurdish Peshmerga forces in Sulaymaniyah, northern Iraq.
Amid rising tensions, Israel’s army launched recent operations in Gaza’s Deir al-Balah and Gaza City, resulting in the deaths of at least five Palestinians.
(With agency contributions)
