MBS's Call Behind Trump's Decision to Postpone Attack on Iran
US President Donald Trump has cancelled planned US attacks on Iran, following intervention from Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Initially, as reported by AFP and Anadolu Agency on Saturday (1/8/2026), Trump had reaffirmed his determination to win the war against Iran, which commenced with joint US and Israeli attacks in late February.
“We only want to win. We are doing very well. We are trying to be as good as possible in such a situation. However, they are being destroyed,” Trump stated while leading a cabinet meeting at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland, on Friday (31/7) local time. “It is very simple. Iran will not have nuclear weapons,” the US President added.
“We will hit Iran very hard and, you know, at some point they will say, ‘We really cannot take it anymore’,” Trump asserted during the cabinet meeting. These recent threats were issued as US media reported that Trump was considering massive strikes against Iran, potentially targeting Tehran’s energy infrastructure as early as this weekend. As the conflict has raged for over five months, the war shows no signs of ending, particularly amidst renewed retaliatory strikes.
In his statement, Trump also dismissed reports suggesting that Iran remains in a strong position. “Iran’s condition is very bad. They are very dishonest. They are very dishonourable in this matter,” he said.
Iran’s Response
Iran has responded to these threats with plans to ‘tighten’ the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, showing no fear of Trump’s warnings. According to Al-Jazeera, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, stated that Tehran would intensify the closure of the Strait of Hormuz if the US continues its threats and maritime blockade. “The continuation of the maritime blockade and the US regime’s war provocations will further tighten the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and other strategic points,” Zolghadr said, according to the IRNA news agency. He warned that the global economy, energy markets, and American voters would suffer the consequences of such a closure.
US Cancels Attack on Iran
Trump has now announced the cancellation of US attacks on Iran, citing limitations within a newly agreed-upon deal. According to Al-Jazeera on Sunday (2/8), Trump stated via his Truth Social account that the US was initially prepared to launch “terror, force, and power unseen since World War II” against Iran. However, he added that “we have just been asked” by Iran and other nations to postpone any attacks because “the limits of the agreement have been agreed upon.”
The agreement includes the “full opening” of the Strait of Hormuz and the “end of Iran’s nuclear threat.” “The United States is on standby and ready to attack the Islamic Republic of Iran with a level of military terror, force, and power unseen since World War II. Nevertheless, Iran and other Middle Eastern nations have just asked us to postpone any attacks because the limits of the agreement have been agreed upon,” Trump stated. He noted that the deal involves the immediate, complete, and total opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the cessation of the nuclear threat. He added that he agreed to this for the future of the world and the prosperity of Iran, provided an agreement is reached promptly. “Israel joins me in this commitment. Let us work, everyone, and finish this,” Trump concluded.
The Role of Prince MBS
Reports have emerged revealing that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman telephoned Trump prior to the cancellation. According to the US news site Axios, internal sources indicate that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called Trump on Saturday (1/8) to urge the cancellation of the attacks and a return to negotiations.