In a dramatic turn over the weekend, US President Donald Trump announced he’s put the brakes on planned military strikes against Iran. The decision, revealed Sunday, comes after urgent calls from Gulf leaders—specifically Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as well as top officials from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates—who warned that retaliatory attacks from Tehran could spiral out of control and threaten vital energy infrastructure across the region.
Saudi sources told the Associated Press that the kingdom, along with the UAE and Qatar, is confident in their ability to defend against further Iranian attacks. However, they flagged Kuwait as a particular weak spot, vulnerable to strikes from Iranian-backed militias based in Iraq. Their concerns were underscored Saturday after Iranian drones reportedly hit targets in Kuwait and two ships were attacked off the coast of Oman, heightening worries that any escalation might drag multiple Gulf states into a much broader conflict.
Gulf Mediation and the Strait of Hormuz
Trump’s reversal wasn’t just about military calculus. According to US and regional officials, Gulf countries have been feverishly working behind the scenes to broker a new deal with Iran. Qatari diplomats, coordinating closely with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are mediating talks focused on the critical Strait of Hormuz—a chokepoint for global oil shipments that has been largely closed since US and Israeli attacks on Iran in February. Iranian officials, speaking to state TV, confirmed ongoing discussions with Oman about the waterway but said no full reopening has been agreed yet.
Trump stated that Mideast allies had reached the “perimeters” of a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and de-escalate tensions, though details remain murky. Meanwhile, mediators are reportedly trying to revive a June agreement originally brokered by Pakistan.
Risks Remain Amid Diplomatic Uncertainty
Despite these diplomatic efforts, the region remains on edge. US officials have warned that continued escalation could quickly exhaust the supply of interceptors used to defend against Iranian drones and missiles—leaving both American troops and Gulf partners exposed. After more than five months of conflict since the US and Israel jointly targeted Iran in February, neither military action nor negotiations have managed to force Tehran to roll back its nuclear ambitions.
For now, Trump’s decision to hold fire is as much about listening to anxious allies as it is about buying time. With a “widening war” and an economic crunch looming, Washington and its partners are hoping that diplomacy—however fragile—can keep the powder keg from exploding.
