According to the report, President Donald Trump called off planned U.S. air strikes against Iran just three hours before the launch window, citing a last-minute diplomatic breakthrough. The aborted operation would have been the second consecutive night of strikes after the destruction of Iranian radar and missile sites. Trump claimed that Supreme Leader Khamenei had approved a nuclear non-proliferation framework, though Tehran has not formally confirmed the deal.

The 3-hour window: How close the U.S. came to a third night of strikes

U.S. naval vessels in the Persian Gulf had already adjusted flight schedules and loaded precision munitions when Trump announced the cancellation, the source reported.. The strike window was set to open three hours later, mirroring the previous night's operation that had taken out Iranian surveillance platforms, communications arrays and air-defence installations. Military officials had continued to fine-tune targeting lists and allocate fighter squadrons throughout Thursday, expecting to proceed after Trump's warning that the United States would hit Iran "very hard tonight."

Why Kharg Island was spared — despite Trump's earlier threat

The report notes that planners had decided not to strike Iran's primary oil-export hub on Kharg Island, even though Trump had publicly stated the U.S. would eventually seize control of the island and other energy infrastructure. This restraint suggests that the administration may have calibrated its military pressure to leave room for negotiation, avoiding a blow that would cripple Iran's economy and risk a broader conflict.

What Netanyahu's praise reveals about the proposed deal's terms

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who spoke with Trump on the same day, praised the emerging agreement, according to the source. He outlined specific required concessions: the removal of enriched uranium, the dismantling of Iran's enrichment facilities , limits on missile production, and an end to support for regional militant proxies. These terms go beyond the 2015 JCPOA and indicate that any final deal would be far more restrictive — if Tehran actually delivers.

Iran's silence: Why Tehran has not confirmed the 'breakthrough'

While Trump declared on Truth Social that Supreme Leader Khamenei had given his assent, Iranian officials have not formally confirmed the claims. A spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry said that most of the negotiating text had been drafted but that a final decision was still pending. This gap between Washington's announcement and Tehran's cautious response raises the question of whether the deal is truly finalised or still conditional on unresolved sticking points.

Qatar and Pakistan's role in bridging the final gaps

According to the report, mediators from Qatar and Pakistan have been working to resolve reaining issues concerning frozen Iranian assets,the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and a long-term framework for nuclear inspections. These mediators were likely the channel for the high-level call between Trump and Iranian officials that triggered the pivot. Their continued involvement suggests that the diplomatic track, while successful in halting strikes, still requires significant work before a formal signing ceremony can be announced.