WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he had called off a planned military strike on Iran, which was scheduled for later that day, to allow for 'serious negotiations' with the Iranian government. The decision was revealed in a series of tweets and statements from the White House.
According to reports, the strike was intended to target Iranian nuclear facilities in response to recent provocations, including the downing of a U.S. drone. However, Trump stated that he decided to halt the operation after being advised that it could result in significant casualties, estimated at 150 people.
'We were cocked & loaded to retaliate last night,' Trump wrote on Twitter. 'I asked how many would die. 150 people, sir. I thought about it for a second and said, let's hold off.' He added that the U.S. is 'in no hurry' and that negotiations are ongoing.
The move has drawn mixed reactions. Some lawmakers praised the decision to pursue diplomacy, while others criticized it as a sign of weakness. Iran's foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, stated that Iran is open to talks but will not negotiate under threats.
As of now, no new date for a strike has been announced, and the situation remains tense. The U.S. has imposed new sanctions on Iran, but military action appears to be on hold for the time being.
