Saudi Crown Prince Urges Trump to De-escalate as Qatari Mediators Seek Hormuz Agreement

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told President Trump by phone Saturday that he had concerns about a potential major U.S. escalation against Iran and sought clarity on what action Trump was weighing, according to Axios and AP sources familiar with the call 123. Those sources said Saudi officials were concerned that U.S. strikes on Iranian energy or other key infrastructure could prompt Iranian retaliation against Gulf energy facilities 12. Qatari mediators held talks Saturday with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Omani officials aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz; a source told Axios the talks made progress, though it remained unclear if that would defuse the crisis 1. Hours later, Trump said in a social media post that Mideast allies had reached the outlines of a deal including "Immediate, Complete, and Total" reopening of the strait and an end to Iran's nuclear threat, and that he would hold off on new strikes to pursue an agreement, with Israel agreeing to join the effort 45.