Saudi Crown Prince MBS urges Trump to reconsider 'large-scale attack' on Iran, reports Axios
Washington, DC, August 2
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has urged US President Donald Trump to reconsider plans for large-scale military strikes against Iran, amid escalating tensions in West Asia, according to an Axios report citing sources familiar with the matter.
According to Axios, the Saudi Crown Prince conveyed his concerns during a phone call with Trump on Saturday, urging him to pursue de-escalation rather than launch a major military offensive against Iran.
The report cited two US officials, one of whom told Axios that "the Saudis expressed concern and asked for clarity about the plan of action". It further quoted sources as saying that MBS appealed to Trump to de-escalate the situation instead of proceeding with large-scale strikes, amid fears that such action could trigger an unprecedented escalation across the region.
The development comes as Israel has reportedly conveyed its preparedness for a possible resumption of major US military action against Iran. According to The Jerusalem Post, citing two Israeli sources, Israel has informed the Trump administration that it remains on high alert and is prepared for the possibility of renewed large-scale US strikes.
Earlier this month, Trump shelved plans for broader military action following 13 consecutive nights of US bombardment targeting Iran.
Saudi Arabia is not the only regional country to have urged Washington to avoid further escalation. According to Axios, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Pakistan have also expressed concerns over the possibility of a wider regional conflict and called for restraint.
The report added that indirect talks between the United States and Iran held on Sunday resulted in some progress, although the two sides have not yet reached an agreement.
Meanwhile, Trump announced on Sunday that he had decided to cancel a threatened attack on Iran, while leaving open the possibility of future military action if negotiations fail.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he was cancelling the planned attack "subject to being able to rapidly make a deal" and asserted that Israel "joins me in this commitment".
Trump said he had decided to halt the operation because "the perimeters of a deal have been agreed to". He stated that the United States had been prepared to unleash "Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II" against Iran.
However, he added that "we have just been asked" by Iran and other countries to suspend the planned attack because "the perimeters of a deal have been agreed to".
According to Trump, the proposed agreement would include a "total opening" of the Strait of Hormuz and an "end to Iran's nuclear threat".
"Based on this request, I have agreed, for the future benefit of the WORLD and, likewise, the survival of a prosperous Iran, to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL. The Country of Israel joins me in this commitment. Get to work, everybody, and get it DONE," Trump wrote in his Truth Social post.
— ANI
Reader Comments
MBS is being smart here. He knows if the US attacks Iran, the whole Gulf region goes up in flames. Saudi Arabia has its own Vision 2030 economic plans and can't afford instability. India has millions of workers in the Gulf too — we're deeply connected to this region's stability.
De-escalation is always better than destruction. The Middle East has seen too much bloodshed already. Our PM Modi has consistently called for dialogue over conflict, and it's reassuring that regional powers like Saudi Arabia are also pushing for restraint. Diplomacy must prevail.
From here in the US, this all feels like a big bluff. Trump talks tough, then folds. The Middle East doesn't want more war, and that includes Iran's neighbors. But Saudi Arabia pushing back is significant — they're usually the ones wanting the US to be aggressive with Iran.
As an Indian watching this, I feel like the whole world is holding its breath. Any attack on Iran would send oil prices sky-rocketing, impacting our 1.4 billion people. Thank God for these de-escalation efforts. Let's hope this "deal" actually materialises and isn't just another postponement of the inevitable.
The US is sending mixed signals internationally, but regional players like Saudi, Qatar, and even Pakistan are legitimately worried about a wider war. It's good that diplomacy is getting a chance. The world can't afford another conflict in that region.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.