AdvertisementAdvertisementA heavily-damaged bridge that was hit by a US strike is pictured along the road connecting Roudan and Bandar Abbas in southern Iran, on Jul 18, 2026. (Photo: AFP/Amir Hossein Khorgooei/ISNA)02 Aug 2026 06:28PM Bookmark Bookmark WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Email LinkedInAdd CNA as a trusted source to help Google better understand and surface our content in search results.Read a summary of this article on FAST.Get bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try.Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FASTFAST TEHRAN: Iran's Mehr news agency on Sunday (Aug 2) denied US President Donald Trump's claim that the Islamic republic asked the United States to refrain from conducting new strikes.Citing military officials, the agency said the allegation "was nothing but a new lie" and that the Iranian armed forces were "on high alert and ready for any eventuality".On Saturday, Trump said the US was "ready to go against the Islamic republic" but that Tehran and other Middle Eastern countries had asked him to hold off on fresh strikes.He said he had made the decision, subject to reaching a deal with Iran."This would include the Immediate, Complete and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran's nuclear threat," wrote Trump in a Truth Social post.On Sunday, Iran's Fars news agency citing a source close to Iranian negotiators said "as long as the United States maintains its hostile actions, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed".Iran has blockaded Hormuz since the start of the war, requiring vessels to obtain permission and pay transit fees before using the waterway.Trump says he will hold off on fresh Iran attack in hope of quick dealSource: AFP/bgSign up for our newslettersGet our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inboxSubscribe hereGet the CNA appStay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best storiesDownload hereGet WhatsApp alertsJoin our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat appJoin hereAlso worth readingContent is loading...Expand to read the full storyGet bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try.Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FASTFAST