On June 12, 2026, President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the United States would conduct an attack on Iran that evening, stating, "The United States will be hitting Iran … VERY HARD TONIGHT." He also mentioned the possibility of taking control of the Kharg Island oil facility in the future. Shortly after, Trump appeared on Fox & Friends, where he expressed concerns about escalating the conflict and the impact on civilians, stating, "I’d rather not do it, because once you do that, the people suffer."
Trump acknowledged that public opinion was largely against the war, with a reported 60% disapproval rate. He expressed uncertainty about whether Americans would support an attack on Kharg Island, saying, "I don’t know that America has the stomach for it." By the afternoon, Trump called off the planned attack, citing progress in peace talks. He claimed that the U.S. had made significant advancements towards a settlement with Iran, with a deal nearing completion.
Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, indicated that the text of a deal was mostly finalized, although nothing was confirmed. A senior administration official later stated there was a 75% chance that an agreement would be signed, attributing Iran's concessions to U.S. military pressure. However, there remains skepticism about whether the deal will ultimately materialize, as past negotiations have often led to a return to a ceasefire status.