i24NEWS reports that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke with President Donald Trump and urged him to call off the planned US military strike on Iran. Trump subsequently announced the suspension of the strike, stating that an agreement on the Strait of Hormuz had been reached and that talks on a nuclear deal would resume Monday. Iran meanwhile warned of a 'significant' response to any US attack, according to the report.
i24NEWS reported Sunday evening that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke directly with President Donald Trump and urged him to call off the planned U.S. military strike on Iran. According to the report, the crown prince's intervention was a key factor in Trump's decision to suspend the operation. Trump subsequently announced that an agreement on the Strait of Hormuz had been reached and that talks on a nuclear deal would resume Monday afternoon. Iran warned of a 'significant' response to any attack, though the strike suspension may reduce immediate escalation risks.
The i24NEWS report adds specificity to a flurry of reports that emerged Sunday afternoon. The Wall Street Journal first reported that Trump canceled the strike after Iranian negotiators responded positively to a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with a Qatari mediation role. Israeli Channel 14 reported that the last-minute cancellation surprised Israeli officials. A senior Israeli official then stated that Saudi Arabia and Qatar exerted intense pressure on Trump. President Trump himself confirmed that Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar had asked him to halt the strike, and later added that Iran also made such a request.
As The Zioneer reported earlier, the diplomatic maneuvering was preceded by weeks of regional mediation, including Omani-led talks in Tehran and reports of Saudi pressure and U.S. missile shortages that contributed to the decision to suspend military action. Iran had previously denied any agreement had been reached.
The status of the reported understandings remains uncertain. Iran has publicly denied that a deal has been reached, and the Strait of Hormuz — a critical global energy artery — remains disputed. Talks are scheduled to resume Monday afternoon, but it is unclear whether a final and verifiable agreement will emerge.
6 developments
- DevelopingSaudi Arabia confirms bin Salman, Trump push for Middle East calm, warn against wider war
- DevelopingNew details: Saudi pressure, missile stock shortage, and Qatari mediation led to delay of US strike on Iran
- StrongSaudi report: bin Salman spoke with Trump on Iran negotiations
- ConfirmedTrump claims Iran asked him to stop bombing, Pentagon denies any US warship hit
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