A man shows a sign mentioning US President Donald Trump during a rally in support of nationwide protests in Iran, in Rome, Italy, January 13, 2026. File Image/Reuters
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Firstpost16-01-2026, 10:23

Trump Pauses Iran Strikes Amid Pressure from Netanyahu, Gulf Allies

  • US President Donald Trump has paused potential military action against Iran, influenced by diplomatic pressure from Arab allies and appeals from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
  • Several US partners, including Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, urged Washington to avoid military strikes, citing concerns over regional destabilization and global economic disruption.
  • Netanyahu reportedly asked Trump to delay strikes, aligning with a perceived softening of Trump's stance after claims that Iran had stopped killing protesters.
  • Gulf states like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and Oman warned that a US attack could trigger a prolonged, uncontrollable conflict in West Asia, with Saudi Arabia reportedly denying US access to its airspace.
  • Despite the pause, the White House maintains that all military options remain on the table, with US officials continuing preparations and repositioning assets like a carrier strike group towards West Asia.

Why It Matters: Trump paused military action against Iran due to regional diplomatic pressure and concerns over escalation.

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