President Donald Trump ordered the cancellation of a planned airstrike against Iran just three hours before it was set to occur, according to a report by NBC citing two U.S. officials on June 11. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reportedly taken by surprise by the cancellation, having not been informed in advance, CNN reported.
U.S. officials indicated that on the same day, the military had received a standby order from Trump to prepare for the airstrike, awaiting only the final command to proceed.
Earlier that morning, Trump had posted on his social media platform Truth Social, stating, "The United States will be very powerfully striking Iran tonight (with its navy, air force, radar, air defense, and all other forms of defense and most offensive capabilities completely gone). Soon we will take over Hargh Island and other oil infrastructure points, completely controlling their oil and gas market as we did in Venezuela."
However, about five hours later, at 2:28 a.m. Korean time on June 12, Trump posted again on Truth Social, saying, "In light of the fact that discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran have been reported and approved by the Iranian leadership, I, as President of the United States, cancel the planned airstrike and bombing against Iran tonight."
CNN cited Israeli sources who expressed surprise at Trump’s announcement regarding progress in negotiations with Iran. Netanyahu reportedly learned of the news during a cabinet meeting. The source stated, "Israel had no idea that an agreement or approval regarding a peace deal with Iran was imminent."
Subsequently, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office released a statement confirming that Trump had spoken with Netanyahu and that both sides discussed the memorandum of understanding with Iran. They expressed gratitude for Trump’s commitment to include the removal of enriched uranium, dismantling uranium enrichment infrastructure, limiting missile production, and halting support for regional proxy forces in any final agreement.
Netanyahu has consistently opposed a U.S.-Iran peace agreement and has reportedly received criticism from Trump, who stated, "You would be in jail if it weren't for me."
U.S. Airstrike Plans Differed from Announced Intentions
Meanwhile, it has been reported that the airstrike plans mentioned by Trump did not align with the actual operational plans being prepared. Specifically, U.S. officials noted that Hargh Island, which Trump identified as a target for airstrikes, was not included in the actual target list. The military had been planning airstrikes on Hargh Island and even infiltration operations for several months, but Trump had not approved these actions.
Officials stated that the planned airstrike for that night was very similar in nature to one conducted by U.S. forces the previous night. They added that while the military had various military options available, the specific airstrike plan for that night only began to take shape after Trump’s morning social media post. Additionally, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made it clear to military officials that the airstrike should differ from the existing operational plans he had been briefed on over the past few weeks.
As a result, U.S. military officials were reportedly more surprised by the cancellation of the airstrike than by the announcement of the planned action. Trump had discussed military options related to Iran with Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Cain shortly before posting the cancellation on social media, according to two other U.S. officials.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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