Trump canceled planned strikes on Iran after requests from Iran and other Middle 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 con

Trump canceled planned strikes on Iran after requests from Iran and other Middle 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.