Iran Denies Agreement on Strait of Hormuz Opening After Trump Cancels Strike

Hours after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the cancellation of a planned strike on Iran, Iranian state news agency Fars reported that Tehran rejects claims of a breakthrough deal. Iranian officials stated that as long as the U.S. continues hostile actions, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed to shipping, calling reports of a new agreement "false." Earlier, Trump said he called off the strike due to progress in talks and requests from Iran and other Middle Eastern countries. Saudi Arabia confirmed a CNN report that Trump had spoken with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman before the decision.

Iran's acting Defense Minister Majid Ibn al-Reza warned that Tehran views all threats from adversaries as credible, even if framed as psychological warfare, and vowed to enhance military readiness and deterrence. Iranian negotiator Mohammad Marandi mocked Trump’s cancellation announcement on social media, calling it "fake news" and accusing Trump of backing down.

On his platform Truth Social, Trump claimed the U.S. was prepared to launch unprecedented military terror against Iran but canceled the strike after reaching a general agreement that included the immediate and full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and ending Iran’s nuclear threat. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that regime change is not the U.S. goal but insisted the Iranian regime must stop exporting its revolution, noting Gulf states now see Iran as a real threat.

Diplomatic efforts continued with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi holding talks with Turkish, Pakistani, and Saudi counterparts. Regional sources told Israeli media that a strike seemed more likely than a deal unless Iran returned to negotiations. Israeli officials also warned that Trump might soon order intensified military action.

Meanwhile, U.S. embassies across the Middle East issued security warnings to their citizens in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, Iraq, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE, citing increased tensions and potential for sudden escalation. They urged Americans to exercise caution, prepare for flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions, and consider leaving the region if the situation worsened. Similar advisories were issued for Israel, Jordan, and Iraq.