Donald Trump says he has cancelled strikes against Iran subject to “rapidly” striking a deal with the country.

In a post on Truth Social, the US president wrote: “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.”

Trump said the decision had been taken alongside Israel. The announcement came amid US media reports that the US might have been planning new, intense strikes on Iran over the weekend.

Tehran earlier accused the US of escalating tensions, saying any regional state co-operating with Washington would be “engulfed by the flames of war”.

Trump said he had reached the decision after being “asked” by Iran and other countries in the Middle East to “hold off” on any attack to allow for a deal to be reached.

He added that any agreement would include the “Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat”.

The US government had earlier urged Americans across the Middle East to be alert and ready to leave “should there be escalation” in the region.

“Americans currently in the Middle East should exercise caution and heightened vigilance and should be prepared for flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures, and potential travel disruptions,” the security alert said on Saturday.

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