Trump cancels threatened Iran strikes, says deal nearly done

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Trump cancels threatened Iran strikes, says deal nearly done

Karl Sexton | Timothy Jones AFP, Reuters, dpa, AP, EFE

Published 06/11/2026Published June 11, 2026

Hours after promising to hit Iran "very hard," US President Trump has said he canceled the attacks, but added a naval blockade would remain in place. Follow DW for more.

Skip next section What you need to know

What you need to know

Trump suggests an agreement with Iran is imminent

Trump has said a naval blockade on Iran will remain until a deal is signed

Iran warned the US would enter an 'endless quagmire' if attacks continue

Three Indian sailors killed by US strike on commercial vessel off the coast of Oman

UN chief has called for respecting Lebanese sovereignty

This is a roundup of the main events from the war in Iran and the wider Middle East on Thursday, June 11, 2026:

Skip next section Trump cancels planned strikes on Iran, suggesting peace deal imminent

06/11/2026June 11, 2026

Trump cancels planned strikes on Iran, suggesting peace deal imminent

US President Donald Trump called off plans for further strikes on Iran, saying that the final points of a deal with Tehran have been "approved by all parties involved."

"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," Trump wrote on social media.

Countries that approved the discussions, according to Trump, include the US, Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Egypt.

"The Naval Blockade will remain in full force and effect until this Transaction is finalized — Time and place of the signing to be announced shortly," the US president wrote

Skip next section Iran warns US of severe response in case of future attacks

06/11/2026June 11, 2026

Iran warns US of severe response in case of future attacks

Iran on Thursday warned the US of a more severe response than before if it attacks once again.

A statement by Iran's top joint military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, was carried by state media after US President Donald Trump said his country's forces would strike Iran again, following two consecutive nights of attacks.

"Considering recent ‌US ​threats against Iran's oil infrastructure, either oil and ​gas exports are for everyone or they ⁠will ​be available ​for no one," ​the command ‌said, adding the war ⁠would ​become more widespread and extensive, causing insecurity in the region.

Skip next section Iran negotiator warns Washington of 'endless quagmire' as ceasefire is tested

06/11/2026June 11, 2026

Iran negotiator warns Washington of 'endless quagmire' as ceasefire is tested

Iran's Parliament Speaker and negotiator Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf on Thursday warned the US of "an endless quagmire" amid daily US strikes on Iran that have further weakened an already shaky ceasefire.

"Wrong strategies and impulsive decisions will reset the entire board for the worse, explode energy infrastructure and markets and create an endless quagmire that you will be stuck in for years," Qalibaf said on X.

He vowed that "you will see a different Iran."

Skip next section Return to war comes at 'tremendous cost,' EU diplomat Kallas says

06/11/2026June 11, 2026

Return to war comes at 'tremendous cost,' EU diplomat Kallas says

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she spoke to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi about ‌the escalation of violence in the Middle East. In a post on X, she said she emphasized the need for a diplomatic solution to the war.

"I spoke to Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi about ‌the latest escalation in the Gulf and the state of negotiations with the US. I've also been in touch with the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad ⁠Al-Sabah. The resumed attacks on the Gulf countries and their critical infrastructure are unacceptable," Kallas wrote.

"A return to full-scale ​war ⁠would come at a tremendous cost to ⁠the entire region," she added. "The diplomatic route remains the best path out of this war," she added.

Skip next section UN chief calls for Lebanon's sovereignty to be respected

06/11/2026June 11, 2026

UN chief calls for Lebanon's sovereignty to be respected

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on "all parties" to work towards a solution that "fully respects the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon."

Israel has stepped up its military operations in Lebanon since March, while the Iran-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah has been firing missiles and drones into northern Israel.

The conflict has continued despite a US-brokered ceasefire ostensibly being in place.

In a post on X, Guterres said diplomatic efforts should start with a "comprehensive ceasefire."

The UN chief also said he is in favor of the Lebanese government having a "monopoly on weapons."

Skip next section Trump 'would rather not' hit Iran's civilian infrastructure as he threatens 'more bombing'

06/11/2026June 11, 2026

Trump 'would rather not' hit Iran's civilian infrastructure as he threatens 'more bombing'

US President Donald Trump has told broadcaster Fox News that he would prefer not to strike Iranian civilian infrastructure, after he had vowed to hit Iran "very hard."

In an interview with the Fox & Friends program, the president was asked if the US would attack Iranian power plants and bridges.

"Yeah, but I'd rather not do it, because once you do that, the people suffer," Trump said.

The US struck a steel plant and a bridge in early April. Deliberately targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure is a war crime, according to the International Criminal Court.

During the same interview, Trump warned there would be "more bombing" on Thursday night.

"It will be bigger — bigger, more powerful," he said.

Despite the threats of fully resuming its bombing campaign, Trump said negotiations with Iran were ongoing. He also said he wants to take over Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export terminal.

"We are talking to them ​and all, but you ​know, ‌look, my preference has always been — take Kharg Island ... my preference would be ‌that. I don't know that America ‌has ​the stomach for it," he said.

Skip next section Trump says US to hit Iran 'very hard' again Thursday

06/11/2026June 11, 2026

Trump says US to hit Iran 'very hard' again Thursday

President Donald Trump has said that US forces "will be hitting Iran very hard tonight."

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump also said the US would, "at some point in the not too distant future … assume total control" of Iran's oil and gas markets.

Trump also repeated Washington's claim that Iran's "navy, air force, radar, anti-aircraft, and all other forms of Defense, together with most of its offensive capability, are gone."

Trump's claims appear to contradict the reality on the ground, however. Iran was accused of downing a US Army helicopter this week, and it also targeted Israel and US bases in several nations in the region on Wednesday.

Earlier this week, the US leader repeated his claim that a deal with Iran was imminent.

But the two countries have traded escalating fire in the past two days, casting doubt over the viability of the ceasefire, which appears to have collapsed.

Skip next section Indian-crewed tanker hit by another US strike

Published 06/11/2026Published June 11, 2026

Indian-crewed tanker hit by another US strike

A tanker carrying 20 Indian crew members off Oman was hit by a US strike on Thursday that caused a fire in its engine room.

It is the third US strike this week involving Indian crews.

India's shipping ministry said that all crew members of the Guinea-flagged asphalt tanker Jalveer were safe and being evacuated in coordination with the Royal Navy of Oman.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said missiles were fired at the engine room "after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from US forces."

The incident comes after three Indian sailors died in a US strike on the Settebello tanker ‌off Oman ⁠on Wednesday.

In another US strike on Monday, the Marivex oil tanker — the only of the three vessels under US sanctions — ​was disabled using precision munitions.

CENTCOM said the ​Marivex and Settebello also both failed to follow directions as US forces enforced a blockade on Iran-related shipping.

According to the Indian shipping ministry, there are more than 320,000 Indian nationals working as sailors on commercial vessels worldwide.

Thousands of them are among the estimated 20,000 seafarers stranded by the Strait of Hormuz blockade.

India's Foreign Ministry said it had summoned a senior US diplomat to convey its "deepest concerns" and formally protest the strike that killed the three sailors.

Skip next section US attacks render ceasefire 'practically meaningless' — Iran

06/11/2026June 11, 2026

US attacks render ceasefire 'practically meaningless' — Iran

Iran's Foreign Ministry has condemned the latest US strikes on the country, saying they constituted a disregard for a ceasefire in place since April 8.

In a statement, the ministry said "the illegal and criminal attacks perpetrated by the United States in recent hours not only constitute a flagrant violation ... but also render the ceasefire practically meaningless."

It added that the "responsibility for the extremely serious consequences of this criminal act lies with the leaders of the United States."

The US carried out strikes on what officials said were some 20 sites in Iran overnight after US President Donald Trump warned that Tehran would "pay the price" for stalled negotiations.

Both Pakistan and Qatar, which have been acting as mediators between Washington and Tehran, have, however, indicated that peace negotiations were still going on behind the scenes despite the new flare-up in hostilities.

The strikes took place while a Qatari delegation was in Tehran for discussions that a diplomatic source said were "conducted in coordination with the United States."

Skip next section Germany willing to take part in peaceful Hormuz mission — Merz

06/11/2026June 11, 2026

Germany willing to take part in peaceful Hormuz mission — Merz

Germany continues to be prepared to take part in any naval mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz once the conflict between the US and Iran has ended, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Thursday.

Berlin remained committed to the idea if the necessary conditions are fulfilled, he told lawmakers.

"Until then, we are committed to a diplomatic solution to the conflict," he added.

Merz's comments come as Iran said it had completely closed off the vital transport waterway following renewed strikes by the US.

The US Central Command has denied Iran's claim, saying commercial traffic is continuing to flow through the strait.

Germany's military, the Bundeswehr, has been preparing since May for an operation in the Strait of Hormuz that could include minehunter vessels.

Iran war drives up German road construction costs

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Skip next section Three injured in overnight US strikes — Iranian media

06/11/2026June 11, 2026

Three injured in overnight US strikes — Iranian media

US strikes in Iran overnight to Thursday have injured three people in Tehran province, according to local media.

The Mehr news site said all three had been hospitalized, citing emergency services.

The US said it had attacked surveillance and communications facilities as well as air defense systems in what was the second wave of attacks this week.

Skip next section US strike kills 3 Indian sailors

06/11/2026June 11, 2026

US strike kills 3 Indian sailors

A US strike on a commercial vessel off the coast of Oman has killed three Indian sailors, New Delhi's shipping minister said on Thursday.

"It is deeply unfortunate to learn of the tragic incident aboard the Palau-flagged MT Settebello," Sarbananda Sonowal said in a statement on X.

"Sadly, three Indian seafarers initially reported missing are now confirmed dead after bodies have been located and identified," he said.

India's Foreign Ministry has summoned a top US diplomat in New Delhi over the incident to lodge "a strong protest."

The US military carried out the strike as part of its naval blockade of Iranian ports, during which it is stopping vessels suspected of attempting to transport Iranian oil.

It said the vessel was fired upon after the crew defied instructions,

The strike on the Settebello on Wednesday is the second reported US attack on a merchant vessel with predominately Indian crew this week.

On June 8, Omani authorities airlifted 24 Indian sailors off the MT Marivex after a US strike on the Palau-flagged tanker.

Skip next section Iran says Strait of Hormuz closed, US denies it

06/11/2026June 11, 2026

Iran says Strait of Hormuz closed, US denies it

Iran's top military command has said the Strait of Hormuz is now completely closed after the latest round of US strikes.

Any ship seeking to traverse the economically important passage will be attacked, Iran said.

Iranian media reported that two "violating ships" trying to go through the Strait of Hormuz had been hit after the Iran military announcement.

The US rejected the claim and said: "Commercial ships are continuing to transit in and out of the Strait of Hormuz tonight."

When the US and Israel started their offensive against Iran in late February, Iran largely brought shipping through the waterway, a vital transport route for oil, gas and fertilizer, to a standstill through threats and attacks on vessels.

Although Tehran insisted the waterway had not been closed to traffic, shipping companies had to coordinate with Iranian authorities and use a corridor near Iran's coastline. Iran also imposed high transit fees.

The US military has been guiding some ships surreptitiously through the strait, officials have said, but the volume of shipping getting through is far below the pre-war level of some 3,000 vessels per month.

On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump claimed on social media he had authorized such a "secret mission" since last month to allow more than 100 million barrels of oil to reach the open market