Israel caught off guard by Trump's cancellation of Iran strikes

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was attending a Cabinet meeting when briefed on Trump's announcement, according to Israeli media reports. Channel 12 said officials in Tel Aviv had received no prior indication of the decision, which the US president disclosed on his Truth Social platform. CNN cited an Israeli source who stated that Netanyahu was particularly surprised by suggestions of an imminent agreement with Iran, adding: "Israel was not aware of any impending agreement with Iran or of any approval to an agreement."

Trump Cancels Strikes

Trump said early Thursday that he had called off strikes scheduled for Thursday evening, citing progress in diplomatic channels. "Based on the fact that discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran have been brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved, I have, as President of the United States of America, cancelled the scheduled strikes and bombings against Iran this evening," he said on Truth Social. He added that discussions had been approved by all parties including the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, and others.

Regional Tensions

The US leader noted that "the Naval Blockade will remain in full force and effect until this Transaction is finalized." The cancellation came as US forces conducted a second day of strikes against Iranian targets following the downing of an Apache helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported striking 18 major US military targets at Ali Al Salem and Ahmad Al Jaber air bases in Kuwait, Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain, and a base hosting American fighter jets in Jordan, while Tehran has moved to close the strategic waterway to maritime traffic.