Donald Trump has canceled strikes on Iran after initially threatening a “very hard” attack tonight and taking control of the key Iranian oil export hub Kharg Island.

In a post on his Truth Social site, Trump claims he is backing off the threat because discussions with Iran have been brought to the highest level of the country’s leadership and have been approved.

“Based on the fact that discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran have been brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved, I have, as President of the United States of America, cancelled the scheduled strikes and bombings against Iran this evening, he wrote.

Discussions and final points have been, in both concept and great detail, approved by all parties involved, including the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, and others,” he continued.

Trump added that the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would continue until the ‘transaction’ has been finalized.

Tensions between the US and Iran were high after Trump threatened to take Iran’s key oil export hub of Kharg Island, a move that would have required American troops on the ground.

Trump also said the US will strike Iran “VERY HARD TONIGHT.”  A top Iranian official warned that Iran will deliver a “firm, crushing, painful, and regret-inducing response” if the US attacks Kharg Island.