diff --git a/gateway/run.py b/gateway/run.py
index 225f82fa1..cdf33135e 100644
--- a/gateway/run.py
+++ b/gateway/run.py
@@ -1821,6 +1821,15 @@ class GatewayRunner:
                     adapter._pending_messages[_quick_key] = queued_event
                 return "Queued for the next turn."
 
+            # /approve and /deny must bypass the running-agent interrupt path.
+            # The agent thread is blocked on a threading.Event inside
+            # tools/approval.py — sending an interrupt won't unblock it.
+            # Route directly to the approval handler so the event is signalled.
+            if _cmd_def_inner and _cmd_def_inner.name in ("approve", "deny"):
+                if _cmd_def_inner.name == "approve":
+                    return await self._handle_approve_command(event)
+                return await self._handle_deny_command(event)
+
             if event.message_type == MessageType.PHOTO:
                 logger.debug("PRIORITY photo follow-up for session %s — queueing without interrupt", _quick_key[:20])
                 adapter = self.adapters.get(source.platform)