President Donald Trump has halted retaliatory military strikes against Iran, signaling a move toward a new diplomatic agreement. Speaking aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump referred to negotiations saying, "It begins tomorrow afternoon."

Former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent continues to advocate for Trump to remove U.S. forces from the Middle East. Kent praised Trump's decision to call off strikes, stating it is clear the president wants to exit the conflict for multiple reasons, though he noted Iran will not simply restore the Strait of Hormuz to its pre-war status.

Former senior Pentagon official Justin Fulcher has analyzed the situation, emphasizing U.S. strategic patience and military readiness.

However, Iran's semi-official Mehr News Agency disputed claims that Iran requested the U.S. to refrain from further attacks, calling such assertions "nothing but a new lie," according to the BBC. NPR also reported that Mehr described the U.S. president's assertions in a similar manner.

President Trump was photographed walking to Air Force One at Hagerstown Regional Airport in Maryland on July 31, 2026.

Sources