Why has Trump halted Iran attacks, and what is the deal he is hinting at?

Iranian media outlets have been expressing their amusement and ridicule towards US President Donald Trump after his announcement to refrain from launching new strikes on Iran. In a recent post on his Truth Social platform, Trump mentioned that Iran and other Middle Eastern countries had asked him to hold off any attack, including the immediate, complete, and total opening of the Hormuz Strait.

However, this claim was not reported by Iranian state media, leading to the widespread belief that Trump was the one who backed down. Iranian media, including Fars and KayhanOnline, have labeled Trump as "the fool who has run out of steam" and "backing away from his hollow threats" respectively. Meanwhile, the semi-official agency Mehr denied Iran's claim, stating that Trump's retreat was a "new lie".

Other western media reports suggest that the US is facing shortages of air defense missiles, which might have influenced Trump's decision. Despite previous ceasefire deals, tensions have persisted, causing a rise in global oil prices. The ongoing conflict, which began on February 28, is happening just three months before the US midterm elections, potentially posing a challenge for Trump's Republican Party.