Aug 02 (v7n) - President Donald Trump announced Saturday that the United States and Israel have agreed to hold off on further strikes against Iran—provided a deal to end the months-long conflict can be reached quickly.

The announcement came after Trump spoke with Saudi Arabia's crown prince, and following separate talks between Tehran and Riyadh, as well as with mediators Pakistan and Turkey. Trump insisted the US remained "locked and loaded and ready to go" but said he had been asked by Iran and other Middle Eastern countries to hold off. "Based on this request, I have agreed... to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL," he posted on Truth Social.

Iran's Mehr news agency dismissed Trump's claim as "nothing but a new lie," stating that Iran's military remained on high alert. Iranian state media confirmed calls between the Saudi and Iranian foreign ministers, as well as discussions with Pakistan and Turkey, about "the risk of escalating tensions and insecurity in the region."

Saudi Arabia's SPA press agency reported that Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman emphasized the need for dialogue and efforts to achieve a truce paving the way for diplomatic solutions.

Trump said any deal must include the "Immediate, Complete and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran's nuclear threat," adding that Israel joined him in that commitment.

The conflict, now in its sixth month, began February 28 with US-Israeli strikes on Tehran. A previous ceasefire collapsed, and Iran has since tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Fars news agency, citing a source close to negotiators, said the strait will remain closed "as long as the United States maintains its hostile actions."

The renewed hostilities have pushed global oil prices higher once again. Meanwhile, US embassies across the Middle East warned citizens of possible "unforeseen escalation" and urged them to be ready to leave.

On Wednesday, a drone struck a US-owned gas vessel in an Egyptian port, and on Saturday, an "unknown projectile" hit a tanker off Oman's coast. Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen also denied seeking to charge ships for passage through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

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