Trump holds off planned Iran strikes as Gulf states press for de-escalation

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday, August 1, that the United States would hold off on planned military strikes against Iran while seeking a rapid agreement, easing an immediate threat of further escalation in the Middle East.

Trump said any deal would need to include the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to what he described as Iran’s nuclear threat. His announcement followed warnings from Tehran that new US or Israeli attacks, or regional participation in them, would prompt a proportionate response.

The Guardian, citing reporting by the Associated Press and Axios, said Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke with Trump on Saturday and urged restraint. A White House official confirmed that the two leaders spoke but did not publicly provide details of the discussion.

The reversal came amid continuing regional security incidents. Kuwait’s military said it had intercepted Iranian drones targeting vital facilities, while maritime authorities reported two incidents involving tankers off Oman. No casualties were reported in Kuwait, according to the account.

The pause reduces the immediate risk of a new US strike but does not amount to a settlement. Trump made the delay conditional on reaching an agreement quickly, and Iran has continued to warn that attacks on its infrastructure could trigger retaliation across the Gulf.