Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump. Photo: AFP
President Donald Trump said Saturday that the United States and Israel had agreed to hold off on new strikes on Iran — provided that a deal to end the months-long conflict is reached rapidly.
Fears had been mounting that the fighting could escalate once again after Trump threatened to hit Iran “very hard” and was reportedly considering renewed heavy attacks, including against energy infrastructure.
But the US leader appeared to have changed course after speaking with Saudi Arabia’s crown prince and after Tehran also spoke to Riyadh, and to mediators Pakistan and Turkey.
Trump insisted the US was “locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” but added that “we have just been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries, to hold off any attack”.
