Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman allegedly urged Trump to continue the war with Iran
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly encouraged US President Donald Trump to continue the war against Iran, seeing the conflict as a “historic opportunity” to reshape the Middle East, according to sources cited by The New York Times.
Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman. PHOTO: Archive
In a series of recent conversations, Prince Mohammed reportedly told Trump that he should push for the destruction of the Iranian government, arguing that Iran poses a long-term threat to the Gulf region that can only be eliminated by removing the current leadership.
The Saudi position differs from that of Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for his part, sees Iran as a major threat, but analysts say Israeli officials would probably consider a weakened Iran plagued by internal instability sufficient. Instead, Saudi Arabia perceives a failed Iranian state as a direct threat to its security.
At the same time, senior US and Saudi officials fear that a protracted conflict could prompt Iran to step up attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure and draw the United States into a protracted war.
In public, Donald Trump has oscillated between messages about a possible quick end to the conflict and signals that it could escalate. On Monday, the US leader said his administration and Iran had carried out “productive discussions on a full and total resolution of hostilities”, but Tehran denied the existence of any negotiations.
Major impact on Saudi Arabia
The war has significant consequences for Saudi Arabia's economy and security. Iran's drone and missile attacks have already caused major disruptions in the oil market, and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is affecting the region's energy exports.
Saudi authorities, however, reject the idea that Prince Mohammed bin Salman would have supported the prolongation of the conflict.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has always supported a peaceful resolution to this conflict, even before it started”the Saudi government said.
“Our primary concern today is to defend ourselves against the daily attacks on our people and our civilian infrastructure”he added. “Iran has chosen a dangerous policy of calculated risk over serious diplomatic solutions. This hurts all parties involved, but none more than Iran itself.”
The White House did not comment on this information, with spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt stating that the administration “does not comment on the president's private conversations.”
According to the quoted sources, Mohammed bin Salman would have even suggested the possibility of an American ground intervention to take over the Iranian energy infrastructure, including Kharg Island, considered a major strategic point. Such an operation would involve high risks, including air or amphibious military action.
Fears regarding the evolution of the conflict
Analysts say Saudi Arabia's position is influenced by fears that a premature US withdrawal would leave the region exposed to a strengthened Iran.
“Saudi officials certainly want the war to end, but how it ends matters,” said Yasmine Farouk of the International Crisis Group.
An important precedent is the 2019 attack on Saudi oil facilities, attributed to Iran, which temporarily affected half of the kingdom's production and prompted a shift in strategy, including the resumption of diplomatic relations with Tehran in 2023.
Since the outbreak of the current conflict, Iran has launched thousands of missiles and drones at states in the region, severely affecting their diplomatic efforts.
“What little trust there was before has been completely destroyed,” Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said recently.
