President Donald J. Trump boards Air Force One at Beijing Capital International Airport, China on Friday, May 15, 2025, en route Washington, D.C. (Official White House photo by Daniel Torok)

President Donald Trump, fed up with Iran’s refusal to reach an agreement to end military action in the Middle East, had announced a series of strikes on the Islamic regime.

Then he called them off.

On social media he confirmed, “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.”

State media in Iran hedged, saying that officials there did not have a “text” of an agreement.

Trump continued, “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.”

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.… pic.twitter.com/m3ls9mTy46

— Commentary Donald J. Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) June 11, 2026

Trump’s claim for a resolution to be at hand came just hours after he suggested the U.S. would seize Kharg Island’s oil depot and strike Iran “very hard.”

According to the Daily Mail, “Trump earlier promised a Venezuela-style takeover of Iran’s oil, including invading Kharg, which processes around 90 percent of the country’s crude exports and serves as a major source of revenue for the Iranian economy.”

That island is known to be heavily fortified and analysts said taking it would requirement American troops on the ground there.

Trump’s earlier plan, he explained, was to have the United States “hitting Iran (Whose Navy, Air Force, Radar, Anti Aircraft, and all other forms of Defense, together with most of its offensive capability, are GONE! ), VERY HARD TONIGHT.”

Over the last day or so there have been various strikes on Iran after Trump acknowledged the loss of an American Apache helicopter, and the promise Iran would pay.

🚨 President Donald J. Trump on cancelled scheduled strikes against Iran. pic.twitter.com/iIijh6j5m2

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 11, 2026

Trump had given indications of his frustration, saying “they keep playing us for suckers.”

Trump started the conflict in order to assure the world that Iran can never get its hands on a nuclear. The Islamists there repeatedly have threatened to wipe Israel “off the map” and have defined that democracy as a little “Satan” while calling the U.S. the big “Satan.”

Analysts have said Trump is requiring a deal of 20 years of no nuclear work, while Tehran has called for 10 years, plus the release of frozen assets.

Trump has said the cash will be released on an ongoing basis in connection with deliverables in the deal.

Over recent hours the U.S. has confirmed hits on Iran’s surveillance, communications and air defense facilities, while Iran launched multiple rockets, one of which struck Bahrain, injuring a girl. Officials there called it a “sinful aggression.”

Turkey and Saudi Arabia, which also came under Iranian attack during the war, have sought a de-escalation, with Riyadh “urging all parties to prioritize wisdom” by resuming peace talks, the Mail reported.

Even China, which purchases much of Iran’s oil, called for a halt to military operations and to work on negotiations.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said “the escalation risked more ‘negative consequences for the situation in the region and the global economy,'” the report said.

Bob Unruh

Bob Unruh joined WND in 2006 after nearly three decades with the Associated Press, as well as several Upper Midwest newspapers, where he covered everything from legislative battles and sports to tornadoes and homicidal survivalists. He is currently a news editor for the WND News Center, and also a photographer whose scenic work has been used commercially. Read more of Bob Unruh's articles here.