Saudi lobbying and Iranian warnings
On Saturday night, Donald Trump stated that the US would delay launching new military strikes on Iran if an agreement can be reached swiftly to resolve the ongoing conflict. This change in stance appears to follow pressure from Saudi Arabia, which expressed worries about the possible consequences of heightened tensions. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly contacted Trump to discuss the matter, urging him to avoid actions that might lead to wider conflict, especially targeting energy infrastructure. A source close to the conversation told Axios that the crown prince had explicitly asked Trump to de-escalate and refrain from proceeding with the strikes, citing fears that such actions could provoke Iran to retaliate against Saudi and other Gulf interests. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stressed "the necessity of prioritizing dialogue to de-escalate tensions" with Iran in a phone call with US President Donald Trump on Saturday, according to Saudi Arabia's state news agency. Increased calm "would pave the way for diplomatic solutions [...] and prevent a slide into a broader conflict with repercussions affecting regional and international security and stability," the agency said, apparently citing bin Salman, the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia. The agency said that "the call also reviewed existing areas of cooperation between the two countries and ways to enhance them."
Trump’s shift in tone was influenced by Iran’s recent threat to retaliate harshly against its neighbors if the US takes military action. These warnings came shortly after Kuwait reported an incident involving Iranian drones launched against key locations within the country. While material damage was caused at a government facility in northern Kuwait and a civilian property, no injuries were recorded. The attack followed an earlier joint Saudi-US strike on weapons sites in Iraq, which had already raised regional concerns about further escalation.
Attacks in the Hormuz Strait
A significant development emerged as two vessels were attacked near Oman in the strategically vital Hormuz Strait. One ship was struck by an unidentified object, causing damage to its engine room. The second incident involved a crew reporting a large splash and explosion near the vessel, though there was no reported damage to the ship itself. The Hormuz Strait is a critical waterway for global oil shipments, and any disruption could have far-reaching economic and geopolitical consequences.
The UK’s Maritime Trade Operations verified these incidents and highlighted the increasing volatility in the region. Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, affirmed that any attacks launched by the US or Israel would be met with a “proportionate response,” signaling the potential for further retaliatory actions against both nations. In phone calls with Turkish, Pakistani, and Saudi officials on Saturday, Araqchi reiterated Tehran’s stance and warned against what he described as reckless or “adventurous” actions by the US. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday warned that Tehran's armed forces would respond decisively to any act of aggression. His message on Telegram came after US President Trump made his since-rescinded threats of fresh strikes, and also following a call with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan. In the post, Araghchi said the US, Israel and any Gulf states involved would bear full responsibility for any new attacks. Tehran had already threatened military retaliation targeting critical infrastructure in Israel and Gulf countries after US media reports that Washington was thinking about major new strikes on Iranian targets, including energy sites.
Israel and US planning joint strikes
CBS News reported that the US and Israel were coordinating plans for potential joint military operations, possibly targeting key infrastructure such as oil refineries and power plants. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not publicly supported these plans, as he has previously rejected unilateral agreements with the Trump administration, such as the failed “memorandum of understanding” regarding Iran. The lack of clarity on Israel’s position has raised questions about the level of coordination between the two nations in any potential military operation.
The Netanyahu administration has continued to distance itself from Trump’s approach to addressing Iran and the activities of Hezbollah, a group that operates from Lebanon. This divergence has led to ongoing challenges in aligning the US and Israel’s regional strategies. Despite Trump’s claim that Israel supports his stance, there is little evidence of formal agreement or endorsement from Israeli leaders.
Iranian state-affiliated media, including Nournews, claimed that if the US were to attack Iranian energy infrastructure, Iran would respond by targeting oilfields in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as well as gasfields in Qatar and Israel. These statements underline the high stakes involved in the escalating tensions. With both the US and Iran preparing for possible conflict, the risk of a broader regional war is growing.
Trump made a strong statement on Saturday night, asserting that the US was “locked and loaded” for a military response against Iran, with the force described as unprecedented since World War II. However, he also indicated that he would delay any strikes if a rapid resolution could be reached. His conditions for this delay included Iran agreeing to unblock the Hormuz Strait and dismantling its nuclear program. Trump added that Israel stood with him in making this commitment, though Israeli leadership has not publicly endorsed this claim. The administration has struggled in the past to get clear backing for Trump’s positions from Israeli officials. US President Donald Trump said Saturday that the United States and Israel had agreed to refrain from carrying out threatened attacks on Iran under the condition that a peace deal with Tehran was reached quickly. Trump said the US was "locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran," but that Tehran and other Middle Eastern countries had asked him not to carry out fresh strikes. "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 posted on his Truth Social platform. "The Country of Israel joins me in this commitment. Get to work, everybody, and get it DONE," he added. His remarks come after he on Friday threatened to hit Iran "very hard," with reports saying US attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure were being considered. According to the US media reports, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke with Trump before Saturday's social media postings to express concerns over the reports of planned new attacks. The report, which cited US sources close to the talks, said the crown prince urged Trump to de-escalate.