Iran Mocks Trump After U.S. Cancels Strike, Warns of Harsh Retaliation

On Sunday, an Iranian senior official mocked U.S. President Donald Trump on social media following his decision to cancel a planned military strike against Iran. Mohammad Marandi, a member of Iran's negotiation delegation, tweeted that Trump had "retreated again," referring to the aborted attack scheduled for the previous night. Concurrently, Alaa al-Din Boroujerdi, a member of Iran's parliamentary National Security Committee, warned that while Iran exercised restraint out of respect for the Arbaeen religious observance, a severe response to U.S. and Saudi attacks on Iranian proxies in Iraq would come after the period ended.

Earlier, Trump announced the cancellation of the strike after Iran and other Middle Eastern countries reportedly requested Washington to hold off, claiming progress toward an agreement. According to Trump, the deal would include the immediate and full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the removal of the Iranian nuclear threat. Despite canceling the attack, Trump emphasized that the U.S. remains prepared to act with unprecedented military force if necessary. He also noted that Israel supports the decision to pause the operation.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged Trump not to escalate the conflict, warning that strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure could provoke retaliatory attacks on Saudi and Gulf oil and gas facilities. The White House confirmed a conversation between Trump and the Crown Prince but did not disclose details.

In Israel, the military heightened air defense readiness overnight amid fears that a U.S.-Israeli strike on Iran could trigger missile and drone attacks on Israeli territory and open new fronts in the region. However, no new attacks or explosions were reported in Iran by morning, and the U.S. Central Command did not announce any new operations. The calm was attributed to Trump's decision to halt the strike following regional diplomatic efforts and reported progress in negotiations.