Saudi officials have formally asked the Trump administration to postpone any further military action against Iran until after the Hajj pilgrimage concludes. The massive event kicks off May 24 and draws over two million pilgrims to Saudi soil, raising fears that Iranian retaliation could target key Saudi sites and endanger innocent lives.This comes as suspicious AIS spoofing has spiked northwest of Dubai, with vessels clustering in unnatural patterns long associated with hiding naval movements ahead of major operations in the Persian Gulf. Iran’s IRGC has issued fresh threats of “crushing blows” that could reach far beyond the region.Gulf states are clearly rattled by the prospect of escalation during this sensitive religious period. Any decisive move against Tehran may now slip into June, giving Trump time to weigh the risks while keeping maximum pressure on a regime that has destabilized the Middle East for decades.
