UAE Presses Trump to Attack Iran While Saudi Arabia Urges Restraint Amid Hormuz Strait Talks

President Donald Trump decided against launching a new military strike on Iran following recent progress by mediators in a plan to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Several Gulf states reportedly urged Trump to pursue dialogue with Tehran instead of escalating tensions. Trump’s unexpected announcement on social media early Sunday, canceling planned attacks, helped ease the immediate strain between the United States and Iran.

This development marks the latest in a series of shifts by Trump, who in recent weeks has alternated between harsh threats against Iran and more conciliatory statements suggesting a peace agreement might be near. Regional intermediaries, including diplomats from Qatar, have been actively working to broker a new ceasefire between Washington and Tehran. On Saturday, Qatari mediators presented Iran with a fresh proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which Iranian officials reportedly received positively, raising hopes for a potential compromise.

The contrasting pressures from Gulf countries reflect differing regional priorities: the UAE reportedly pushed Trump toward military action, while Saudi Arabia advocated for de-escalation to prevent wider conflict. The situation remains fluid as diplomatic efforts continue to seek a resolution to the tensions surrounding the vital waterway and broader US-Iran relations.