US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday, Aug. 2, that Washington will suspend planned military strikes against Iran, citing a request from Tehran and neighboring countries to negotiate a comprehensive agreement. In a statement on Truth Social, Trump said the US military was “locked and loaded” but had agreed to “hold off any attack” provided a deal can be reached rapidly. He stated the agreement must include the “immediate, complete, and total opening of the Hormuz Strait” and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. Trump added that Israel has joined the US in this commitment to pause military action while negotiations proceed. The announcement represents a pivot from escalating tensions over the weekend. Earlier, according to CNN, the US State Department had advised American citizens in the Middle East to consider departing the region, warning of potential airspace closures and flight cancellations amid expectations of imminent US strikes. Prior to Trump’s announcement, reports indicated Washington was preparing significant strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure as early as this weekend. According to The Wall Street Journal, Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command (CENTCOM), had prepared a contingency plan for a massive air campaign spanning 10 to 14 days following a July 28 Iranian missile attack. The proposed campaign awaited presidential approval following an Iranian missile attack on July 28. President Trump, speaking at Camp David on Friday, stated that the US would hit Iran “very hard.”