Trump Pauses Iran Military Strikes After Call With Mohammed bin Salman

The potential campaign, which some sources described as one of the harshest bombing operations to date, was intended to cripple the regime’s ability to support its military and maintain internal control. However, Trump has now conditioned the cancellation of these strikes on the ability to rapidly make a deal.

Saudi Arabia’s Push for De-escalation

A critical factor in the pause was a Saturday phone call between President Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. During the conversation, the Saudi leader expressed concern and urged the president not to carry out further strikes, seeking clarity on the U.S. plan of action and pushing for a de-escalation of the regional tension.

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This diplomatic pressure arrived as the region faced immediate volatility. Just hours before the diplomatic outreach, the Kuwaiti army reported that it destroyed hostile drones launched by Iran against vital military facilities and civilian property on Bubiyan Island. While these attacks caused material damage from falling shrapnel, no casualties were reported.

The Strait of Hormuz and Economic Pressure

The conflict centers heavily on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil and gas shipments that has been largely closed by fighting. The U.S. and Iran had previously signed a memorandum of understanding in June, but the agreement collapsed when Iran began striking cargo ships in the strait.

Iran Halts Retaliatory Strikes as United States Pauses Bombing Campaign

The economic toll of this closure has created significant political pressure on the White House. Benchmark Brent crude futures rose 24% in July, and the risk of Iranian attacks has deterred most shipping through the conduit. This financial strain is compounded by threats from Iran’s Houthi allies in Yemen to target the Bab el-Mandeb strait, another critical export route for Saudi crude.

Iranian Retaliation Plans and Regional Warnings

Tehran has maintained a posture of readiness, with a senior security official claiming the nation has extensive response plans prepared. These plans reportedly include strikes on U.S. energy infrastructure in the region and the vital infrastructure of Israel.

Trump Calls Iranian Leadership Duplicitous as Negotiations Continue

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi further warned of a proportionate response during calls with officials from Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the Iranian-affiliated outlet Nournews stated that U.S. strikes on energy infrastructure would trigger Iranian attacks on oil fields in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, as well as gas fields in Qatar and Israel.

Contradictions in Military Readiness

Despite the current pause, reports on the state of military readiness vary. The Wall Street Journal claimed Trump had already approved strikes to begin over the weekend, while Axios reported that final orders had not been given. This discrepancy highlights the fluid nature of the decision-making process at Camp David.

There is also a disconnect regarding Israeli involvement. While Trump stated that Israel joins me in this commitment to hold off on attacks, an Israeli official told CBS News that Israel was unaware of any decision to restart full military operations nor had they been asked to join any action.

Oil Prices Plunge as U.S. and Iran Pause Military Strikes

The Path to a Negotiated Deal

Trump has indicated that his team—including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner—could still reach an agreement. However, the president expressed skepticism during a July 31 cabinet meeting, noting that the Iranians break their word so often.

The survival of this fragile pause depends on the speed of negotiations. The U.S.

• The immediate, complete, and total reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
• A definitive end to Iran’s nuclear threat.
• Adherence to the terms of the previously collapsed truce agreement.

The immediate focus remains on the maritime sector, where the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported two incidents off Oman on Saturday, including a tanker struck by an unknown projectile that damaged its engine room.