Washington, August 02 (QNA) - US President Donald Trump announced early Sunday that he had suspended the planned US-Israeli strikes against Iran, following a request from Tehran and other countries in the Middle East, on the condition that a rapid agreement be reached.

In a post on the Truth Social, Trump wrote that the US was "locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II." He added, however, that Iran, along with other countries in the Middle East, asked the US to suspend any attack after agreeing on the broad outlines of a deal.

Trump explained that the agreement include the immediate, complete, and total opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and an end to Iran's nuclear threat. 

"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," Trump wrote, adding that Israel joined the US in supporting the delay and called on all parties to begin working and finalize this agreement.

Trump's remarks come at a time of escalating tensions in the region, amid media reports over the past two days claiming that the United States and Israel were preparing to carry out strikes against targets inside Iran after diplomatic efforts had stalled. However, Washington has not issued any official announcement confirming that any military operation has been launched.

Trump's comments were also preceded by warnings issued by US embassies in several Middle Eastern capitals, urging American citizens to prepare for the possibility of unexpected escalation in the region amid ongoing regional tensions and their potential impact on maritime security and global energy markets. (QNA)