Citing two US officials and another source familiar with the conversation, Axios reported that the Saudi crown prince sought clarity on Trump’s military plans and urged him to pursue de-escalation instead of a wider offensive.

“The Saudis expressed concern and asked for clarity about the plan of action,” one US official told Axios.

A second source familiar with the call said MBS specifically urged Trump not to proceed with the strikes.

Neither the White House nor the Saudi Embassy in Washington commented on the Axios report.

The phone call followed a meeting earlier this week between Trump and Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman (KBS), who reportedly conveyed Riyadh’s preference for de-escalation during separate meetings with Vice President JD Vance and other US officials.

According to Axios, Saudi Arabia has played a significant behind-the-scenes role in shaping Trump’s Iran policy throughout the conflict despite occasional disagreements between Washington and Riyadh.

Trump says strikes paused as talks continue

Hours after speaking with MBS, Trump announced on social media that he had decided to hold off on new US strikes, saying mediators had reached the broad outlines of a deal aimed at ending the conflict.

“The deal would include the Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat,” Trump wrote.

“Based on this request, I have agreed, for the future benefit of the WORLD and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL.”

pic.twitter.com/uRYgMoCrkn

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 2, 2026

However, the announcement does not mark a formal ceasefire.

News agency Associated Press reported that mediation efforts are continuing and many key issues remain unresolved.

A regional official involved in the talks told AP that the proposal calls for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, halting attacks across the region—including by Iranian-backed militias in Iraq—and resuming US-Iran negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear programme.

In exchange, Washington would end its naval blockade on Iran and allow Tehran to resume oil exports under the framework of an earlier tentative ceasefire agreement.

“No deal has been reached yet, but mediation efforts are underway,” the official told AP on condition of anonymity.

Gulf fears retaliation against energy infrastructure

Saudi Arabia’s concerns centre on the possibility that Iran could retaliate against Gulf energy facilities if Washington launches another major military campaign.

According to AP, the Saudi leadership fears Tehran could target oil installations and other critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and neighbouring Gulf states, similar to previous attacks blamed on Iran or its proxies.

The Saudi Press Agency confirmed that MBS discussed the regional situation with Trump by phone before the US president announced the pause in military operations.

A person familiar with the conversation told AP that the crown prince sought clarity on Trump’s intentions because of concerns over possible Iranian retaliation.

Regional diplomacy intensifies

Multiple regional powers are now trying to prevent the conflict from escalating further.

According to Axios, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Pakistan have all pressed both Washington and Tehran to pursue de-escalation.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held separate calls on Saturday with Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.

In a statement posted on Telegram, Araghchi warned that any hostile action by the US or Israel—or cooperation by regional countries—would be met with “a decisive and proportionate response from Iran’s powerful armed forces.”

Qatari mediators also held separate discussions with Araghchi, White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Omani officials in an effort to secure an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Axios reported that negotiators had made progress, although it remains unclear whether that will be sufficient to avert another round of fighting.

Iran remains divided over negotiations

While diplomatic efforts continue, AP reported that divisions are emerging within Iran’s leadership.

AP reported that some factions oppose any negotiations with Washington, while others believe sustained military pressure could strengthen Tehran’s position at the negotiating table.

Following Trump’s announcement, Iran’s Defence Minister said on X that the country was “neither surprised nor passive” and remained prepared to respond to any concrete military threats.

Fighting continues in Gaza

Even as attention shifted to Iran, fighting continued elsewhere in the region.

AP reported that at least 12 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza on Sunday despite Trump’s announcement last week of a separate US-backed disarmament agreement involving Hamas.

An Israeli official told AP that Israel had conveyed “serious security concerns” about the proposed arrangement to the White House, while the Israeli military said its latest strikes targeted militants.

Why this matters

Saudi Arabia’s intervention underscores growing concern among Gulf states that another major US strike on Iran could trigger retaliatory attacks against oil infrastructure and shipping routes, threatening global energy supplies and widening a conflict that has already drawn in multiple countries across the Middle East.

(With inputs from Axios and AP)