Trump says he’s cancelling Iran strikes, deal pending : NPR
NPR Topics: Politics — 2026-08-02 02:34:00 — www.npr.org
Trump Claims Progress on Iran Deal Amid Disputes and Accusations of Falsehoods
President Donald Trump asserted on social media late Saturday that Iran and other Middle Eastern countries had asked the United States to “hold off any attack” on Iran, claiming that “the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to.” Trump further stated that the U.S. “is locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran” but, based on requests from Tehran and others, had agreed to “cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL.” He added that Israel was part of this commitment and that the deal “would include the Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat.”
Fact-Checking Trump’s Statements
Trump did not specify which countries had made these requests. However, a statement from Saudi Arabia’s state news agency confirmed that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke with Trump, emphasizing the need for dialogue and efforts to achieve a truce to preserve regional stability. Notably, the Saudi statement did not mention any agreement on the terms Trump described, nor did it reference a request to hold off on military action.
Iran, which maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, had not responded to Trump’s comments at the time of reporting. Meanwhile, Mehr, a semi-official Iranian news agency, outright dismissed Trump’s claims as “simply a new lie,” citing unnamed Iranian military officials. This direct rejection from Iranian sources highlights the ongoing disputes over the accuracy of Trump’s statements regarding international negotiations.
Context and Public Opinion
Trump’s latest comments come after a series of abrupt policy shifts since the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran in February. The situation remains volatile, with news reports suggesting that the U.S. and Israel were preparing to target Iran’s energy infrastructure over the weekend. An Associated Press poll conducted this week found that nearly two-thirds of Americans surveyed believe the war is not worth the fight, reflecting widespread public skepticism about further military engagement in the region.
Conclusion
President Trump’s claims about a pending deal with Iran and the involvement of Middle Eastern countries in requesting a pause in military action have been met with skepticism and outright denial from Iranian sources. The lack of corroboration from Saudi Arabia and the strong dismissal by Iranian officials raise questions about the accuracy of Trump’s statements. As tensions continue, the public remains wary of further escalation, underscoring the need for transparent and verifiable communication from all parties involved.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2026/08/02/nx-s1-5917113/trump-says-hes-cancelling-iran-strikes-deal-pending