President Donald Trump’s decision Thursday to cancel planned military strikes against Iran was the latest twist in a monthslong cycle of threats, self-imposed deadlines and extensions that have repeatedly brought the United States and Iran to the brink of escalation — before pulling back.

Since the beginning of the Feb. 28 conflict, Trump has publicly set at least eight deadlines for military action against Iran, only to cancel them.

The latest pause came Thursday. Trump spent the morning threatening that the U.S. was prepared to escalate its military campaign against Iran, pledging strikes that would be “bigger” and “more powerful” as the two countries exchanged fire for a third time this week. Trump also threatened to target Iran’s energy sector, warning that the U.S. would take control of Kharg Island, the country’s main oil export hub.

Hours later, Trump called off strikes he said were scheduled for that evening, saying discussions with Tehran have been “approved by all parties involved.”

However, Iran state-run media reported that Tehran has not approved any agreements.

These repeated reversals have highlighted the volatile and unpredictable nature of the fragile talks, which have oscillated between warnings of imminent military action and optimistic declarations that a deal is close at hand.

Below is a timeline of each time Trump has publicly delayed or canceled planned military action since the conflict began, according to MS NOW’s count.

March 21

The cycle began when Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum on March 21, warning that Iran’s electrical infrastructure could be targeted if Tehran failed to comply with U.S. demands.

March 23

Two days later, on March 23, Trump delayed planned strikes by five days, saying negotiations were moving toward a “complete and total resolution” of hostilities.  

March 26

Three days after that, Trump pushed back a deadline for attacks on Iranian electrical facilities by 11 days, saying talks were progressing “very well.”

April 5

In April, Trump revised deadlines tied to demands that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz. On April 5, the White House confirmed Trump had shifted a deadline after previously signaling action could come sooner. 

April 7

 Two days later, on April 7, he extended a military pause by two weeks. 

April 21

Two weeks later, Trump indefinitely postponed another deadline after appeals from Pakistani officials, saying Iran would first need to submit a unified proposal before military action would be considered.

May 18

On May 18, Trump said he had canceled a planned military attack at the request of leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates because “serious negotiations” were underway.

June 11

In his latest walk-back, Trump announced on Truth Social that he had called off strikes scheduled for later in the day, saying negotiators had reached an agreement on the key elements of a memorandum of understanding that could lead to a broader deal. 

Trump described the emerging framework as a “strong memorandum of understanding” and said final documents could be completed within days, adding that the Strait of Hormuz could reopen shortly after a tentative signing ceremony but stopped short of providing a firm deadline.

According to Iranian state media and a source familiar with the negotiations who spoke to MS NOW, Iran still has not formally endorsed any proposed peace agreement.

Iran’s Fars News Agency, citing a source close to the negotiating team, reported that Tehran has not approved the text of any memorandum of understanding with the U.S. and that no final agreement has been reached.

Laura Barrón-López contributed to this report.

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Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner maintained that people in Maine continue to have his back as his past “gets dug up, litigated and weaponized” during a campaign rally Friday night, marking his first large public event since a series of allegations and personal controversies rocked his campaign just days before the June 9 primary. 

Platner told supporters in Bal Harbor that even as critics revisit his past and level what he described as false accusations, Mainers have stood by him.

“When hurtful things I said on the internet a decade ago came out into the public as I shared my personal journey through PTSD and darkness of recovery and accountability and growth, Maine had my back,” Platner said.

“Now as every single piece of that past and journey gets dug up, litigated, and weaponized, you have my back and when politically motivated serious and false accusations are made against me, Maine, you have my back.”

With primary day just days away, Friday’s rally served as an important test of whether Platner can reassure and mobilize supporters, while maintaining momentum in a race that has become one of the most closely watched Democratic primaries of the 2026 election cycle.

The Get-Out-the-Vote rally comes after a tumultuous week for Platner and a day after The New York Times published a report detailing allegations from several ex-girlfriends, including from Lyndsey Fifield, who said he repeatedly grabbed her hard enough to leave marks, pulled her from a taxi by the wrist during an argument and, in one incident, twisted her arm behind her back and held her in a room. 

Fifield told the newspaper that Platner never punched or hit her but said the incidents left her frightened. The report also included criticism from other women about Platner’s behavior in past relationships. Platner denied the allegations on MS NOW, calling claims of physical abuse “simply not true” and characterized them as politically motivated.  

Platner said on Thursday that there were aspects of his past for which he takes responsibility, including struggles with alcohol and difficult periods following his military service. However, he rejected claims that he physically harmed former partners and disputed allegations related to a tattoo that critics said resembled Nazi imagery. 

Platner also faced scrutiny about sexually explicit messages he exchanged with multiple women early in his marriage. He has publicly acknowledged sending the messages and apologized for his conduct.

Despite the controversies, Platner has retained the backing of several high-profile Democrats, all of whom view Maine’s Senate race as critical to Democrats’ hopes of reclaiming the chamber.  Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., joined Platner at the rally, underscoring continued support from prominent progressive allies despite growing scrutiny of the candidate’s past, though at least a handful of Democrats have expressed concerned.

Khanna briefly addressed the allegations against Platner, and praised his wife, Amy Gertner, for her resilience. He highlighted that the Senate candidate has been open about his struggles following military service, and argued “we broke thousands of young men by sending them into dumb wars.”

“Now, no one should make excuses for his past relationships, some of which were toxic and volatile, and no one on our side should attack the women who came forward,” Khanna said.

“He understood that those years that he came back were not the best years of his life. He was ashamed of some of the things he said and did, and then he, unlike others, took accountability for it, and he’s worked to be a better man, a better human being,” he added.

Khanna praised Platner as a candidate who has consistently backed progressive priorities, citing his opposition to the war in Iran, support for Medicare for All and willingness to challenge wealthy donors and billionaires.

“When it comes down to it, we showed up for Graham, because he has showed up for us,” he said.

Democrats view Maine as one of their best pickup opportunities in 2026 and believe defeating incumbent Sen. Susan Collins could be critical to their chances of reclaiming control of the Senate.

In his speech, Platner remarked on Collins’ own marriage and the lack of press she receives on it.

“Susan Collins hasn’t met a war she doesn’t like,” Platner said. “It’s no surprise because she’s married to a lobbyist who represents the defense industry. You don’t see as many articles about that.”

Platner also criticized Collins as a career politician, saying she “has given up some charade that she’s a moderate, that she stands up against her party. That she cares about her constituents more than she cares about those that donate money to her.”

“We see through it,” he said.

A Democratic victory in the state would flip a Republican-held seat and potentially provide a key vote in a closely divided chamber. Polling has also continued to show Platner leading both the Democratic field and Collins in a potential general election matchup.

“We’re gonna need to have each other’s backs,” Platner said “because we are in the fight of our lives.”

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