Riyadh, May 20 (ANI) — Saudi Arabia on Wednesday welcomed US President Donald Trump’s decision to “give diplomacy a chance” to end the ongoing conflict involving Iran, and expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s mediation efforts to reduce regional tensions.
In a post on X, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said the kingdom ‘‘highly appreciated’’ efforts to restore regional stability and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz to its state prior to February 28, 2026. The ministry statement said Riyadh values Trump’s move to pursue a diplomatic agreement that would end the war, restore freedom of navigation in the strait, and address outstanding points of contention in a way that serves regional security and stability.
The statement also thanked Pakistan for its ongoing mediation role and urged Iran to respond positively to diplomatic initiatives to avoid further escalation. ‘‘Saudi Arabia looks forward to Iran seizing the opportunity to avoid the dangerous implications of escalation and urgently responding to the efforts to advance the negotiations leading up to a comprehensive agreement to achieve lasting peace in the region and the world,’’ the foreign ministry said.
Trump has said Washington will ‘‘give it one shot’’ to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz and indicated the US is ‘‘not in a hurry.’’ He has also asserted that Iran wants a deal ‘‘so badly’’ and predicted that a resolution would quickly bring down oil prices, saying oil supplies would ‘‘plummet’’ once a deal is reached.
The diplomatic push follows reports of negotiations between the US and Iran and Trump’s earlier announcement that he postponed a ‘‘planned attack’’ on Tehran after appeals from Gulf leaders. The US president said he had been asked by Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to hold off on the planned military action because ‘‘serious negotiations’’ were underway.
Trump also said the US remains prepared to carry out a ‘‘full, large-scale assault’’ if needed, but that Gulf leaders had urged a delay in hopes of securing an acceptable deal with Tehran.
The Saudi statement and the US president’s remarks were published amid continuing efforts by regional and international actors to de-escalate the crisis and resume stable maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. (ANI)
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