Trump planned canceled strikes on Iran after requests from Iran and other Middle East
Eastern states, CNN reported; sources said Saudi Crown Prince phoned Trump to
express concern. Military analyst and former USAF colonel Cedric Leighton said
both Saudi Arabia and Iran have incentives to avoid escalation: disruptions to
the Strait of Hormuz have imposed economic strain on Saudi Arabia, and Riyadh’s
diplomatic engagement likely contributed to Trump’s pause. Leighton added that
after five months of conflict Iran faces economic and military pressure, and any
diplomatic pressure from Tehran may reflect an effort to buy time to preserve
itself.