ISLAMABAD: The United States abruptly called off a contemplated militarystrike on Iran following sustained and forceful diplomatic interventions bySaudi Arabia, Turkey, and several other Middle Eastern countries directedat President Donald Trump. This decision came amid heightened fears thatany American action would provoke a severe Iranian response, potentiallyunleashing an uncontrollable wave of conflict across the region. Reportsindicate that Tehran had prepared plans for retaliatory strikes usingadvanced hypersonic missiles targeting at least eight sites, including keyIsraeli locations and American military bases in the Gulf states. Thelast-minute diplomatic push underscores the fragile balance of power in theMiddle East, where allies of Washington are increasingly wary of beingdrawn into a broader confrontation.
The crisis unfolded against the backdrop of ongoing internal unrest inIran, which had prompted Trump to threaten direct intervention to haltreported crackdowns on protesters. As tensions peaked, with the USconsidering airstrikes on Iranian targets, regional actors mobilizedurgently to prevent escalation. Saudi Arabia, despite longstanding rivalrywith Tehran, played a pivotal role in conveying warnings to Washington thatmilitary action could destabilize the entire Gulf region and disrupt globalenergy markets. Turkish officials similarly emphasized the need forrestraint, highlighting the risks of Iranian reprisals against NATO allybases and neighboring territories. These efforts reportedly involvedback-channel communications and high-level engagements in the 48 hoursleading up to Trump’s decision to stand down.
Intelligence assessments revealed Iran’s readiness to respondasymmetrically if attacked, with preparations focusing onhypersonic-capable systems designed to overwhelm existing defenses. Suchmissiles, traveling at speeds exceeding Mach 5, pose significant challengesto interception technologies employed by the US and Israel. Reportssuggested that Tehran had identified multiple high-value targets, includingstrategic installations in Israel and US facilities across Bahrain, Qatar,Kuwait, and the UAE. The threat of such a barrage was seen as capable ofinflicting substantial damage and triggering a cycle of retaliation thatcould engulf multiple nations.
Diplomatic sources indicate that Gulf states like Qatar and Oman joinedSaudi Arabia in urging Washington to prioritize de-escalation, citingconcerns over economic fallout and security implications for hosting UStroops. Turkey, maintaining a delicate position due to its NATO membershipand proximity to Iran, reportedly conveyed similar messages through variouschannels. This collective pressure highlighted a shift in regionaldynamics, where even traditional US partners are advocating caution toavoid scenarios reminiscent of past escalations, such as the 2020 crisisfollowing the Soleimani assassination.
President Trump’s reversal was framed as a response to assurances thatviolent actions in Iran had subsided, allowing a pause in militaryplanning. While the administration maintained that all options remained onthe table, the decision reflected a pragmatic assessment of the risksinvolved. Analysts note that avoiding direct confrontation preservedfragile regional stability, though underlying tensions persist amid Iran’smissile advancements and ongoing proxy conflicts. The episode illustratesthe intricate interplay between US policy objectives and the strategiccalculations of Middle Eastern powers.
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The averted strike has provided temporary relief to global marketssensitive to Gulf disruptions, but experts warn that the underlying issuesremain unresolved. Iran’s development of hypersonic capabilities continuesto alter deterrence equations, compelling adversaries to recalibrate theirapproaches. Regional diplomacy, while successful in this instance, may facegreater tests if future provocations arise. The situation serves as areminder of the high stakes in the Middle East, where military actioncarries the potential for rapid and widespread consequences.
Source:https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/world/middleeast/gulf-trump-iran.html
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