Donald Trump’s Iran Policy: Another Dramatic Shift, Planned Attacks Cancelled

 

An Analytical Review by Pakistan Times Live

Islamabad: June 12, 2026

On Thursday morning, US President Donald Trump announced on his social media platform Truth Social that the United States would carry out a “very severe attack” on Iran and expressed a desire to seize control of Iran’s key oil export hub, Kharg Island. Just a few hours later, he posted again, stating that negotiations with Iran had reached the “highest level” and had received approval, therefore the planned attacks were being cancelled.

This dramatic reversal took place within just a few hours. On one hand, Trump’s threats had plunged the entire world into anxiety; on the other hand, the cancellation of the attacks brought relief. But the question remains: is this decision truly a diplomatic success or just another temporary tactic?

**Immediate Gains: Achievements Within a Single Day**

Trump’s announcement had immediate effects. Oil prices dropped sharply as investors took the development as a positive sign. Stock markets rallied, with US and global markets seeing gains. Gulf countries condemned the attacks, and Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan announced the success of their air defense systems against Iran. All of this happened in one day. But is it sustainable?

**Future Risks: Deceptive Details**

The problem is that Trump’s announcement lacks the details necessary for any stable agreement. He did not clarify what the “final points” actually are. Has Iran agreed to any nuclear deal? Will sanctions be eased? Will the Strait of Hormuz reopen? There are no answers to these questions.

It is also worth noting that the list of countries Trump mentioned as having given their approval did not include Iran, even though he claimed that talks had reached Iran’s highest leadership. This contradiction raises the question: is Iran really agreeing to this deal, or is Trump presenting his own wishes as reality?

Trump has previously claimed more than thirty times that a deal was close, but each time it did not happen. Iran has denied those claims. Iran’s senior negotiator warned that “wrong strategies and emotional decisions will destroy energy infrastructure and markets, creating an endless quagmire.”

Furthermore, Trump made it clear that the US naval blockade would continue with “full force and effect” until a final agreement is reached. This means pressure on Iran will remain. This double approach has left many analysts confused.

**Analysis by Pakistan Times Live**

Trump’s strategy is based on an old approach: “peace through strength.” On one hand, he issues the harshest threats; on the other, he paves the way for negotiations. The goal is to put enough pressure on Iran to force it to agree to US terms.

But there are clear drawbacks. Repeated back-and-forth and dramatic reversals have damaged US credibility, and Iran is now reluctant to trust Trump’s words. Israeli sources have expressed concern that Trump’s focus on diplomacy could leave Israel isolated. The Israeli prime minister warned that they might have to carry out attacks without US support.

While Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have supported the negotiations, countries like Kuwait and Bahrain have been directly hit by Iranian attacks, making it difficult for the Gulf Cooperation Council to produce a united response. Iran has kept the Strait of Hormuz closed, putting global oil supplies at risk, and as long as this conflict remains unresolved, the world economy will face uncertainty.

**Is a Stable Agreement Possible in the Near Future?**

This depends on two key factors: Iran’s willingness and Trump’s truthfulness. Is Iran ready to agree to US terms? So far, there has been no official response from Iran to Trump’s announcement, which in itself is a significant sign. Iran may want written guarantees before any further concessions. And does Trump genuinely want a deal, or is he just playing a drama for his election campaign? Given his past performance, many observers are skeptical.

According to Pakistan Times Live, dark clouds of danger are looming on all sides. If no agreement is reached, the fire of war could flare up again. If an agreement does happen, it remains to be seen whether it will be sustainable or just another temporary ceasefire.

Pakistan, Qatar, and other countries continue their mediation efforts, but Trump’s unpredictable behaviour is weakening these attempts. Both sides also face their own domestic politics and public pressure.

**Possible Future Scenarios**

Several scenarios are possible. In a positive scenario, if both sides show restraint, a temporary agreement could be reached, involving a partial reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, some curbs on Iran’s nuclear program, and limited sanctions relief. But lasting peace is still far away.

In a negative scenario, which is more likely, talks could stall, Trump could return to harsh rhetoric, and military operations could restart, plunging the region into further instability. In a catastrophic scenario, if a major mistake occurs (such as a large-scale civilian casualty incident), the conflict could escalate and Israel could become directly involved.

**Conclusion**

Trump’s cancellation of the planned attacks is good news, but caution is needed. This is not a final diplomatic victory but rather a strategic pause. Both sides continue to insist on their own terms.

Pakistan Times Live believes that the path to peace is still long and difficult. Past experience shows that Trump’s claims of a “deal coming soon” have often proven empty. Therefore, it is too early to call this a success.

We are keeping a close watch on the situation. As more details emerge in the coming days, we will continue to keep you informed.

An Analytical Review by Pakistan Times Live

Islamabad: June 12, 2026

On Thursday morning, US President Donald Trump announced on his social media platform Truth Social that the United States would carry out a “very severe attack” on Iran and expressed a desire to seize control of Iran’s key oil export hub, Kharg Island. Just a few hours later, he posted again, stating that negotiations with Iran had reached the “highest level” and had received approval, therefore the planned attacks were being cancelled.

This dramatic reversal took place within just a few hours. On one hand, Trump’s threats had plunged the entire world into anxiety; on the other hand, the cancellation of the attacks brought relief. But the question remains: is this decision truly a diplomatic success or just another temporary tactic?

**Immediate Gains: Achievements Within a Single Day**

Trump’s announcement had immediate effects. Oil prices dropped sharply as investors took the development as a positive sign. Stock markets rallied, with US and global markets seeing gains. Gulf countries condemned the attacks, and Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan announced the success of their air defense systems against Iran. All of this happened in one day. But is it sustainable?

**Future Risks: Deceptive Details**

The problem is that Trump’s announcement lacks the details necessary for any stable agreement. He did not clarify what the “final points” actually are. Has Iran agreed to any nuclear deal? Will sanctions be eased? Will the Strait of Hormuz reopen? There are no answers to these questions.

It is also worth noting that the list of countries Trump mentioned as having given their approval did not include Iran, even though he claimed that talks had reached Iran’s highest leadership. This contradiction raises the question: is Iran really agreeing to this deal, or is Trump presenting his own wishes as reality?

Trump has previously claimed more than thirty times that a deal was close, but each time it did not happen. Iran has denied those claims. Iran’s senior negotiator warned that “wrong strategies and emotional decisions will destroy energy infrastructure and markets, creating an endless quagmire.”

Furthermore, Trump made it clear that the US naval blockade would continue with “full force and effect” until a final agreement is reached. This means pressure on Iran will remain. This double approach has left many analysts confused.

**Analysis by Pakistan Times Live**

Trump’s strategy is based on an old approach: “peace through strength.” On one hand, he issues the harshest threats; on the other, he paves the way for negotiations. The goal is to put enough pressure on Iran to force it to agree to US terms.

But there are clear drawbacks. Repeated back-and-forth and dramatic reversals have damaged US credibility, and Iran is now reluctant to trust Trump’s words. Israeli sources have expressed concern that Trump’s focus on diplomacy could leave Israel isolated. The Israeli prime minister warned that they might have to carry out attacks without US support.

While Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have supported the negotiations, countries like Kuwait and Bahrain have been directly hit by Iranian attacks, making it difficult for the Gulf Cooperation Council to produce a united response. Iran has kept the Strait of Hormuz closed, putting global oil supplies at risk, and as long as this conflict remains unresolved, the world economy will face uncertainty.

**Is a Stable Agreement Possible in the Near Future?**

This depends on two key factors: Iran’s willingness and Trump’s truthfulness. Is Iran ready to agree to US terms? So far, there has been no official response from Iran to Trump’s announcement, which in itself is a significant sign. Iran may want written guarantees before any further concessions. And does Trump genuinely want a deal, or is he just playing a drama for his election campaign? Given his past performance, many observers are skeptical.

According to Pakistan Times Live, dark clouds of danger are looming on all sides. If no agreement is reached, the fire of war could flare up again. If an agreement does happen, it remains to be seen whether it will be sustainable or just another temporary ceasefire.

Pakistan, Qatar, and other countries continue their mediation efforts, but Trump’s unpredictable behaviour is weakening these attempts. Both sides also face their own domestic politics and public pressure.

**Possible Future Scenarios**

Several scenarios are possible. In a positive scenario, if both sides show restraint, a temporary agreement could be reached, involving a partial reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, some curbs on Iran’s nuclear program, and limited sanctions relief. But lasting peace is still far away.

In a negative scenario, which is more likely, talks could stall, Trump could return to harsh rhetoric, and military operations could restart, plunging the region into further instability. In a catastrophic scenario, if a major mistake occurs (such as a large-scale civilian casualty incident), the conflict could escalate and Israel could become directly involved.

**Conclusion**

Trump’s cancellation of the planned attacks is good news, but caution is needed. This is not a final diplomatic victory but rather a strategic pause. Both sides continue to insist on their own terms.

Pakistan Times Live believes that the path to peace is still long and difficult. Past experience shows that Trump’s claims of a “deal coming soon” have often proven empty. Therefore, it is too early to call this a success.

We are keeping a close watch on the situation. As more details emerge in the coming days, we will continue to keep you informed.