Trump calls off new strikes, citing ‘perimeters of a deal’

By: David Brennan, Nadine El-Bawab, and Jon Haworth | (ABC NEWS) -- President Donald Trump announced Saturday night that he is holding off on new strikes against Iran, after officials had earlier warned that the president was considering an intense attack on energy targets which could have begun this weekend.

In a social media post, the president said Iran and other Middle Eastern countries asked "to hold off any attack in that the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to."

Trump added in the post, "Based on this request, I have agreed, for the future benefit of the WORLD and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL."

The president said Israel is taking part in this "commitment" to hold off on strikes while a deal is ironed out.

It is unclear what, if anything, has been agreed to, but Trump said in the post that it included the "Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat."

It's not the first time Trump has threatened or considered escalatory attacks on Iran, only to reverse course and hold off for more talks.

He has also repeatedly complained about Iran’s trustworthiness -- saying leaders there agree to a deal and then break it moments later.

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