The planned US strike was called off not only following an appeal by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, but also because of Qatari intervention, Israel Hayom has learned.
In phone calls with the White House over the weekend, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani warned that a large-scale US attack, particularly one targeting energy facilities, would trigger an Iranian counterattack. Such retaliation, they said, would paralyze and severely damage the Gulf's entire energy industry and send oil prices soaring.
In the calls, Doha conveyed assurances that Iran would honor its commitment under the memorandum of understanding to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The Americans demanded that any agreement also cover the Bab al-Mandab Strait and include a direct commitment from commanders of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. It remains unclear whether such a commitment was obtained.
Gulf diplomatic sources said the US negotiating team involved in the talks included Vice President JD Vance and envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. They said US President Donald Trump also participated in some of the discussions.
As of now, this report has received no confirmation from US officials.
