Trump delays Iran strikes after Saudi alarm

Donald Trump said Saturday night the United States would delay new strikes on Iran if a deal to end the months-long conflict is reached quickly, after reports of Saudi concern and Iranian warnings of retaliation.

Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman called Trump on Saturday to raise concerns about possible US strikes, The Guardian reported, citing Axios and the Associated Press. Axios cited a source with knowledge of the call saying Mohammed “urged Trump to de-escalate and refrain from launching the strikes”.

Saudi Arabia feared US attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure, or major strikes on other key sites, could lead Tehran to target Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. AP said Mohammed sought clarity from Trump on what new action he was considering, while a White House official confirmed the call but gave no details.

Iran warned at the weekend against any “adventurous action” by the US and said it would retaliate decisively. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi told senior Turkish, Pakistani and Saudi officials that US and Israeli attacks, or participation by regional countries, would meet a “proportionate response”.

Trump wrote Saturday night that “the USA is locked and loaded” to strike Iran with “military terror, strength, and power not seen since World War II”. He added: “Despite this, we have just been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern countries, to hold off any attack,” saying any delay was “subject to being able to rapidly make a deal” that included the “immediate, complete and total opening of the Hormuz strait, and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat”.

CBS News reported that the US and Israel were planning joint strikes, possibly through the weekend, with oil refineries and power plants among possible targets. Kuwait’s army said it destroyed hostile drones launched by Iran against vital facilities, while the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported two maritime incidents off Oman.