US, Israel to hold off on Iran strikes

Summary

US President Donald Trump has pulled back from plans for major new strikes on Iran, in his latest climbdown after weeks of threatening to hit Tehran hard. The president said late Saturday that the US would hold off, provided a deal can be reached quickly. It follows a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who reportedly urged de-escalation, amid fears that Iran could retaliate against the Kingdom and other Gulf states. In announcing that he was calling off the strikes, Trump said Israel had “joined him in this commitment”. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to comment. Matthew-Mary Caruchet, from France 24 international affair desk, shares further insights.