President Trump said he called off a third night of airstrikes on Iranian targets. In the Oval Office, he again said that a deal was close between the U.S. and Iran, and that it might be signed this weekend. Iran denied any movement towards a longer-term agreement. William Brangham reports. Geoff Bennett: Welcome to the "News Hour." President Trump this afternoon called off a third straight night of airstrikes on Iranian targets after saying this morning that he would order more such attacks. Amna Nawaz: In the Oval Office, he said again that a deal was close between the U.S. and Iran and that it might be signed this weekend. Earlier, in a social media post, Mr. Trump said he ordered the attack stand-down because of progress being made in negotiations. Mr. Trump has often claimed such progress. Iran said no agreement has been finalized. William Brangham unpacks a dizzying day to begin our coverage. Donald Trump, President of the United States: It's a great deal. You know why it's a great deal? Because they will never have a nuclear weapon. William Brangham: In the Oval Office late this afternoon, another change of tune from the president. Donald Trump: They have all approved the deal. Everybody's approved the deal. Now we will get it finished up, and hopefully that will be done. William Brangham: The president had earlier threatened continued airstrikes, but then relented. Donald Trump: We were going to hit them even harder tonight. They knew that. We told them exactly what we were going to do. I really believe it's a regime change because I find these people to be much more rational than the people that are no longer with us. We knocked out the first team of leadership. The second team of leadership is a different group. William Brangham: Trump said he'd spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who in a statement expressed appreciation for Trump's commitment to peace, but added that Israel is not party to this proposed interim deal. The top spokesman of the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Esmaeil Baghaei, said no final decision had been made on an agreement and that Iran would not compromise what he called red lines. He did say that much of the deal text had been finalized, but that American demands kept changing during the talks. Last night, for a second night, U.S. missiles streaked across Iran's skies, explosions echoing around its port cities, yet another demonstration that, despite a stated cease-fire, the fire never ceased. U.S. Central Command said it targeted several Iranian military sites in -- quote -- "response to Iran's unwarranted and continued aggression." This morning on FOX News, the president said the strikes would continue and even escalate, threatening an attack on Kharg Island, the key site for Iran's oil exports. Donald Trump: My preference has always been take Kharg Island. I don't know that America has the stomach for it, to be honest with you. You're going to make a fortune. William Brangham: But just a few hours later, the president reversed himself, citing progress in talks with the Islamic Republic that he claimed had been approved by -- quote -- "the highest level of Iranian leadership." He wrote: "I have, as president of the United States of America, canceled the scheduled strikes and bombings against Iran this evening." He added: "The naval blockade will remain in full force and effect until this transaction is finalized." Kharg Island is located far from the Strait of Hormuz. It sits across the Persian Gulf from two key American bases in the Middle East; 90 percent of Iran's oil exports pass through Kharg. Early today, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps said it launched attacks on at least 18 U.S. military targets and air bases across the Middle East, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. Iran's Foreign Ministry today blamed the U.S. for violating the cease-fire, calling the American strikes -- quote -- "acts of aggression." Man (through interpreter): The United States' legal and criminal attacks have effectively rendered meaningless the cease-fire of April 8, 2026. William Brangham: In the meantime, the war's consequences continue to be felt around the world. In a small town in India, a family mourned one of three soldiers killed in a U.S. strike on an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman earlier this week. India's Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks, demanding that they must stop. U.S. officials said its military issued warnings before firing at the ship, accusing the tanker of trying to evade the U.S. blockade. This marks the ninth vessel American forces say they had to disable. The back-and-forth strikes between Iran and the U.S. brought global condemnation. Lin Jian, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson (through interpreter): China is seriously concerned about the current situation. Resorting to the use of force will only further aggravate tensions, and military action cannot resolve the underlying issues. William Brangham: The disruption in the Strait of Hormuz continues to royal global energy supplies and drive up fuel and other prices worldwide. Back in Iran, city streets are plastered with reminders to hold fast in this conflict. For some Iranians, hope for a resolution comes mixed with defiance. Hamid Reza Bani Ebrahimi, Tehran, Iran, Resident (through interpreter): They want our nuclear material. Our scientists work so hard, and then enemies come and martyr them. We shouldn't allow them to obtain this easily. William Brangham: For the "PBS News Hour," I'm William Brangham.
<small>Source: PBS NewsHour</small>
