Iran Vows to Bolster Its Military After Trump Halts New Strikes

In a statement that felt part warning, part resolve, Iran’s acting defence minister Majid Ibn al‑Reza told state television on Sunday that Tehran would not let any threat – even a psychological one – slip by unnoticed.

“We will neither be caught off guard nor remain passive,” he said, echoing a tone that blended confidence with a hint of nervous energy. The minister added that each perceived threat would be turned into an opportunity to tighten military preparedness, sharpen deterrence and upgrade capabilities.

The remarks arrived just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that Washington would hold off on launching any new strikes against Iran. Trump said the pause was meant to give diplomatic channels a chance to revive negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme and, crucially, to reopen the Strait of Hormuz – the narrow waterway that shuttles a sizable share of the world’s oil.

In his brief, Trump wrote that several Middle Eastern nations had asked for more time to hammer out an agreement that would guarantee an “Immediate, Complete and Total” reopening of the strait and put an end to what he called Iran’s nuclear threat. He did not name those countries, but a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman suggests the kingdom was among them.

“Based on this request, I have agreed, for the future benefit of the world and likewise the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a deal,” Trump said. He also claimed that Israel was “joining me in this commitment.”

The Crown Prince, for his part, stressed the need for dialogue to reduce regional tension, according to Saudi state news agency SPA. He urged that every possible effort be made to secure a truce that would pave the way for diplomatic solutions.

These diplomatic overtures come after more than five months of fighting that began on Feb. 28, when the United States and Israel launched a series of strikes on Iranian targets. A previous cease‑fire – which also promised to reopen the Strait of Hormuz – fell apart, and since then Tehran has tightened its grip on the key shipping lane as clashes have flared anew.

Oil markets have felt the tremors, with global prices climbing after a brief dip during the earlier cease‑fire. The timing is also notable: the United States faces its mid‑term elections in just a few months, adding a fresh layer of political pressure on Trump’s Republican rivals.

While the world watches to see whether talks will bear fruit, Iran’s message is clear: the country will stay alert, will not be surprised, and will keep sharpening its military edge, whatever the diplomatic outcome may be.