President Donald Trump has abruptly canceled a planned airstrike against Iran that was expected this weekend, amid reports that Iran is shifting its strategy from reactive retaliation to preemptive aggression.
On August 1, Trump announced via social media platform Truth Social that Iran and other Middle Eastern countries had requested a pause in attacks, stating that a basic framework for an agreement had been established.
He said, "I agreed to cancel the attack under the condition that we can quickly reach an agreement for the future of the world and the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran," adding that "Israel is also joining me in this commitment."
Trump explained that the agreement includes the immediate and complete opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the cessation of Iran's nuclear threats.
However, separate from the negotiations, a notable change in Iran's military response has been observed. According to foreign media, including CNN, Iran launched several ballistic missiles toward a U.S. military base in Jordan on July 28.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that "Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles at U.S. bases in the Middle East, all of which were successfully intercepted by U.S. forces."
Previously, military exchanges between the U.S. and Iran had followed a pattern where Iran would attack shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting U.S. retaliatory strikes, followed by Iranian attacks on U.S. bases in the region. Iran had been responding to U.S. preemptive strikes.
This time, however, Iran targeted the U.S. base in Jordan without any prior attack from U.S. forces. The U.S. characterized this incident as a "surprise attack attempt."
U.S. media outlets have assessed that Iran is demonstrating a willingness to regain the initiative in warfare by breaking the recent military lull and resuming hostilities.
CNN reported that Iran appears to have deemed it worthwhile to escalate pressure, even at the risk of provoking renewed U.S. airstrikes, which had briefly paused.
The Wall Street Journal noted that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has shown a fundamental shift, indicating a preference for a prolonged state of war over the domestic political pressures arising from economic hardship and protests during peacetime.
While Trump's announcement of the attack cancellation has reduced the immediate likelihood of military conflict, U.S. pressure on Iran is expected to continue. Trump emphasized, "The U.S. is fully armed and ready to deploy against Iran with military might and power not seen since World War II."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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