The Guardian89%
Trump climbs down on Iran strikes in expectation of ‘rapidly’ reaching a deal 33%
By Rory Carroll39%
8/2/2026, 4:22:04 AM
BS Summary: This article contains 18 faulty reasoning types, including Negativity Bias, Post Hoc (False Cause), and Appeal to Authority, with Unattributed Quote as the most egregious example at 26.4% saturation with 146 hits. Analysis detected 970 faulty-reasoning hits from 552 analyzed words, generating a BS Score of 36.7% and a BS Rank of 33% (17,024 of 25,252 articles). This article is better (less manipulative) than 67.40% of the article peer group.
Donald Trump has said he cancelled planned military strikes against Iran on the basis of “rapidly” reaching a deal on its nuclear programme and the full reopening of the strait of Hormuz.
The US president paused the strikes in expectation of a breakthrough and in response to requests from Iran and other countries in the region, he claimed on his Truth Social platform on Saturday.
“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.”
The deal would include the immediate and complete reopening of the strait and “an end to Iran’s nuclear threat”, he posted.
It marked the latest climbdown from extravagant threats to pound the Islamic Republic in the months-long conflict.
However, hopes of a breakthrough faded on Sunday when Iran’s Mehr news agency said Trump’s claim that Tehran had requested a pause “was nothing but a new lie” and that the Iranian armed forces were “on high alert and ready for any eventuality”.
Another Iranian news agency, Fars, citing a source close to Iranian negotiators, said that as long as the US “maintains its hostile actions” the strait would remain closed.
The decision to halt fresh strikes came after the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, called Trump on Saturday to express concerns, it was reported.
Trump’s reversal also followed Iranian threats to retaliate decisively against its neighbours in the event of US strikes, while Kuwait reported being hit by Iranian drones on Saturday and two ships were attacked off Oman in the strait of Hormuz.
One source described as having knowledge of the Trump-Prince Mohammed call told Axios that the Saudi crown prince had “urged Trump to de-escalate and refrain from launching the strikes”.
The Associated Press (AP) also reported the conversation, citing its own source.
It said the Saudis were concerned that if the US targeted Iran’s energy infrastructure or carried out massive strikes on other key infrastructure, Tehran could respond by carrying out similar attacks on the kingdom and other Gulf countries.
The crown prince during Saturday’s call sought clarity from Trump on what potential new action he was weighing to take against Iran, AP reported.
A White House official, who was not authorised to comment publicly and requested anonymity, confirmed to AP that Trump and Prince Mohammed spoke on Saturday but did not offer any detail about the substance of their conversation.
Saudi Arabia earlier this week joined the US in striking logistics and weapons sites used by Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, but has been urging the US and Iran to return to the negotiating table.
CBS News reported that the US and Israel were planning joint strikes, possibly throughout the weekend, with oil refineries and power plants among possible targets.
Tehran warned this weekend against any “adventurous action” by the US and said it would retaliate decisively.
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi’s comments in separate phone calls on Saturday with senior Turkish, Pakistani and Saudi officials came just hours after Kuwait’s army said it destroyed hostile drones launched by Iran against several vital facilities.
Reuters, Agence France-Presse and Associated Press contributed to this report
Analysis
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