Aug. 2 (UPI) — President Donald Trump backed off a plan to launch powerful new strikes against Iran, saying late Saturday night he was asked by several Middle Eastern countries to hold off as they had reached “the perimeters of a deal.”

It had been reported on Friday that the U.S. and Israeli militaries were striking as early as this weekend, likely targeting Iranian energy infrastructure.

But Trump late on Saturday said “we have just been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries, to hold off any attack in that the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to.”

“This would include the Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “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, who did not disclose details of an agreement, has several times before claimed to be nearing a deal with Iran.

Iranian sources denied the president’s statement on Sunday, saying the claim that a deal was nearly in place was “completely baseless.”

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has reached no agreement regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and the reports published in this regard are false,” a military source in Tehran told the country’s semi-official Fars News Agency.

The source added, “as long as the United States continues its hostile actions and acts of aggression, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed.”

Trump’s announcement came hours after receiving a call from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, known as MBS, the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia.

The crown prince “expressed concern and asked for clarity about the plan of action,” one source told Axios.

On Sunday, the state-run Saudi Press Agency said MBS “stressed the need to prioritize dialogue to reduce escalation and the importance of making every possible effort to achieve calm that paves the way for diplomatic solutions.”