Trump suspends US-Israel strikes on Iran after Saudi plea, demands full Hormuz reopening and end to nuclear threat

Escalation and threat

On Friday, Donald Trump threatened to strike Iran "very hard" during a cabinet meeting. By Sunday, he posted on Truth Social that the United States was ready to strike the Islamic Republic at levels of military terror, force, and power never seen since World War II. US media reported that Washington was considering massive new bombings over the weekend. CBS News detailed joint US-Israeli preparations targeting oil refineries and power plants. The State Department also urged American citizens to consider leaving the Middle East because of a possible escalation.

The suspension announcement

On Saturday, Trump said the US and Israel had agreed to suspend new strikes at the request of Iran and other regional countries, conditional on a quick deal. In his Sunday Truth Social message, he wrote:

Despite this, we have just been asked by Iran, and by other Middle Eastern countries, to suspend any attack. On the basis of this request, I have agreed... to cancel the attack, subject to being able to quickly conclude an AGREEMENT. Israel joins me in this commitment.

Saudi intervention

Axios reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called Trump on Saturday to express concerns about the strike plans. A source familiar with the call said the crown prince urged de-escalation.

He exhorted Trump to de-escalate the situation and to refrain from launching the strikes.

The White House did not immediately comment on the Axios report.

Conditions for a deal

Trump stated that any agreement must include the "COMPLETE AND TOTAL OPENING OF THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ, as well as an end to the Iranian nuclear threat." Pakistan, acting as mediator, had said on Thursday that the belligerents were negotiating de-escalation, particularly regarding the strategic waterway. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a Fox News interview before Trump's announcement, expressed optimism about a deal.

What was planned

According to CBS News, the joint US-Israeli strikes would have targeted oil refineries and power plants. The US had called on its nationals to consider leaving the region. The suspension, however, remains conditional on a rapid agreement, leaving the threat of strikes in place if talks fail.