As U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly declared a suspension of strikes against Iran on the 1st, local time, reports emerged that Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had previously urged him to hold off.

According to U.S. online media outlet Axios, the Associated Press, and other sources, Crown Prince bin Salman expressed concern over a strike against Iran during a phone call with President Trump that day, calling for a de-escalation of tensions and restraint from military action.

U.S. media previously reported that the United States and Israel were planning one of the most powerful airstrike operations in history targeting Iran's energy infrastructure over this weekend (July 1 to 2).

Carrying out such an attack could have triggered unprecedented risks in the war that has been ongoing for five months, which began with preemptive strikes by the U.S. and Israel in late February.

Iran warned of a tit-for-tat response, stating that any attack would lead to retaliatory targets, including U.S. energy facilities in the Middle East.

Amid escalating tensions across the Middle East, President Trump made a surprise announcement on Saturday night that he had called off the strikes against Iran.

Writing on social media via Truth Social, he stated, "We have received agreement on the terms of a deal from Iran and other Middle East countries, and I have been asked to hold off on any attacks."

An official briefed on the phone call between President Trump and Crown Prince bin Salman told the Associated Press, "The Saudi side is concerned that Iran could retaliate by attacking energy facilities in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries."

The official added, "The crown prince also asked President Trump for a clear explanation of what new countermeasures were being considered against Iran."

President Trump met with Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud on June 29.

A source stated that the meeting was intended to convey Crown Prince bin Salman's views on the war with Iran and the situation in the Middle East.

The source explained that the meeting was added to the schedule after Defense Minister Prince Khalid previously told U.S. Vice President JD Vance that Saudi Arabia favored a de-escalation of tensions between the U.S. and Iran.

Saudi Arabia is a key U.S. ally in the Middle East.

Since the outbreak of the war with Iran, Saudi Arabia has reportedly influenced President Trump's Iran policy at critical junctures.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)