Trump Cancels 'Power Never Seen Since World War II' Strike On Iran; What Forced Massive Airstrike To Be Called Off?

New Delhi/Washington/Riyadh: US military warplanes were fully armed and prepared to carry out a massive airstrike on Iran, an operation President Donald Trump had described as a display of “power not seen since World War II.” However, at the last moment, Trump announced on social media that the planned attack on Tehran had been called off after Iran and other Middle Eastern countries urged him to hold back.

The decision came after Tehran agreed to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil chokepoint through which nearly 20 per cent of the world’s oil supply passes. As of now, Iran has not made any comments on the fresh deal.   

“The U.S.A. is locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“Despite this, we have just been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries, to hold off any attack in that the perimeters of a deal has ( correct- have) been agreed to,” he added.

Iran has agreed to reopen Hormuz immediately, Trump claims

According to the US President, Tehran’s mediators have agreed to immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz-- a move the whole world, especially Asian countries, has been awaiting, as fresh airstrikes have further battered already-crippled economies. Ironically, Trump dubbed his latest move in favour of the “future benefit of the world and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran”.

ALSO READ: Is Trump Ordering Fresh Strikes On Iran This Weekend? US Embassy Advisory Raises Alarm

What forced a massive airstrike to be called off? A Saudi Arabia angle

According to the sources of the news agency Associated Press (AP), Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto leader, in a phone call with Trump raised concerns about the US potentially escalating the conflict with Iran.

The Saudis, according to the person briefed on the substance of the call but not authorised to comment publicly, are concerned that if the US targets Iran's energy infrastructure or carries out massive strikes on other key infrastructure, Tehran could respond by carrying out attacks on the kingdom's and other Gulf countries' energy infrastructure.

The crown prince during Saturday's call sought clarity from Trump on what potential new action he's weighing to take against Iran, the person told AP.

ALSO READ: Decoding US-Saudi Joint Strikes In Iraq: What Prompted The Unprecedented Alliance?

(With inputs from agencies)

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