Trump says he called off WWII-level strike after request from Gulf allies and Iran

HERE WE GO AGAIN: Over the weekend, President Donald Trump once again threatened that he was "locked and loaded" to "go big" against Iran at "levels of military, terror, strength, and power not seen since World War II," only to call off the attack, claiming Iran is finally ready to make a deal to end the war.

"The perimeters of a deal has been agreed to," Trump posted on Truth Social Saturday morning, saying the deal would include "the Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran's nuclear threat."

Returning to Washington from his Bedminster, New Jersey golf resort, Trump told reporters on Air Force One the request came from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and - he insisted - "Iran, very strongly."

Trump said he was "losing faith" in them, because they do lie.

Iran Foreign Ministry spokesman: "We are not currently holding any talks with the American side."

AP counts this as at least the eighth such pause since April.

Skeptics quoted: Marc Thiessen ("Like Lucy and the football"), retired Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, Sen. Mark Kelly (calling the approach "rather erratic").

The Saudis "thought that a deal is imminent." MBS to Trump: "We would much prefer a deal as opposed to an attack."