diff --git a/tools/approval.py b/tools/approval.py
index 4d619d435d7..d1f62d05eef 100644
--- a/tools/approval.py
+++ b/tools/approval.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import unicodedata
 from typing import Optional
 from hermes_cli.config import cfg_get
 
+from tools.interrupt import is_interrupted
 from utils import env_var_enabled, is_truthy_value
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -1343,6 +1344,23 @@ def _await_gateway_decision(session_key: str, notify_cb, approval_data: dict,
     _activity_state = {"last_touch": _now, "start": _now}
     resolved = False
     while True:
+        # Respect interrupt signals (e.g. /stop, /new, or an inactivity
+        # timeout from the gateway) so a pending approval doesn't keep the
+        # session wedged on threading.Event.wait() until the 5-minute approval
+        # timeout. The wait runs on the agent's execution thread, which is the
+        # exact thread AIAgent.interrupt() flags — so is_interrupted() here
+        # sees the signal. Resolve as "deny" so the agent loop receives a
+        # normal denial and unwinds cleanly (#8697).
+        if is_interrupted():
+            logger.info(
+                "Approval wait interrupted by user signal — "
+                "returning deny for session %s",
+                session_key,
+            )
+            entry.result = "deny"
+            entry.event.set()
+            resolved = True
+            break
         _remaining = _deadline - time.monotonic()
         if _remaining <= 0:
             break