Saudi Crown Prince Voices Concern To Trump Over Strikes On Iran

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday and expressed concern over his plans for massive new strikes against Iran, U.S. online news outlet Axios reported.

"The Saudis expressed concern and asked for clarity about the plan of action," a U.S. official told Axios.

Shortly after the report emerged, Trump said on social media that he had "agreed to cancel attack on Iran." The cancellation of the planned strikes, he said, was "subject to being able to rapidly make a deal."

Qatari mediators held separate talks Saturday with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, U.S. presidential special envoy Steve Witkoff and Omani officials in an effort to secure an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to Axios.

Trump met with Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman on Wednesday. The meeting was added to the Saudi minister's itinerary after he met with Vice President JD Vance and told him that Saudi Arabia favored de-escalation with Iran, a source familiar with the matter said.

Trump said previously that he was seriously considering attacking Iranian energy targets in the coming days in response to Iran's missile strike on a U.S. base in Jordan and its continued disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. He has yet to issue final orders.

Araghchi on Saturday warned the United States against taking any "adventurous" actions, saying those responsible would bear the consequences.

Araghchi made the remarks during separate phone conversations with Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. In talks with his Saudi counterpart, Araghchi warned that any hostile U.S. or Israeli action, as well as any regional support for it, would draw a firm, proportionate response from Iran's armed forces.
-XINHUA