Saudis talk Trump down from Iran strike... for now
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Mideast expert Ksenia Svetlova joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.…
Assessment
Saudi Arabia appears to have played a decisive role in persuading the US president to step back from a military strike on Iran, at least temporarily. The crown prince's phone call underscores Riyadh's interest in de-escalation rather than open conflict, even as it remains a key regional rival to Tehran. The key question is whether the reported framework for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and addressing the nuclear issue is substantive or merely a diplomatic pause. Watch for whether talks actually materialize or if this is a brief reprieve before tensions spike again.