Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has privately urged Donald Trump to continue striking Iran as the war involving Washington, Israel and Tehran enters its third week, according to a report by The New York Times. The newspaper, citing officials familiar with the conversations, said the Saudi leader has been in frequent contact with Trump during the conflict and encouraged him to “keep hitting the Iranians hard” as the fighting intensifies across the region.
RIYADH BACKS TOUGH LINE ON IRAN
White House officials told the newspaper that Trump has been holding regular calls with several Arab leaders since the conflict erupted, with the Saudi crown prince emerging as one of the most vocal advocates of a hardline approach toward Iran.
The stance reflects a long-standing Saudi position on Tehran. The report noted that the late King Abdullah had also repeatedly urged Washington to confront Iran and once famously called on US officials to “cut off the head of the snake”.
Saudi Arabia has long viewed Iran as its principal regional rival, with tensions shaped by competition for political influence, military power and sectarian divisions across the Middle East.
WAR ENTERS THIRD WEEK
The conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran has now entered its third week, with casualties mounting and concerns growing about wider regional fallout.
More than 2,100 people, including 13 Americans, have been killed since the fighting began, according to figures cited in the report. The war has also rattled global energy markets, pushing oil prices close to USD 100 per barrel amid fears of supply disruptions.
Shipping through the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz has been affected, raising concerns over the stability of global energy supplies.
Despite the scale of the offensive, some of Washington’s key objectives remain unmet. Iran’s stockpile of enriched nuclear fuel is still inside the country, while the leadership in Tehran has vowed to continue resisting the attacks.
CONFLICT SPILLING INTO THE GULF
While a weakened Iran could serve Saudi’s strategic interests, the ongoing war has also heightened security risks for the kingdom and its neighbours.
The NYT report said drone attacks have struck oil infrastructure in both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates during the conflict, underscoring the possibility of wider escalation.
The attacks followed Israeli strikes on Iranian oil storage facilities near Tehran – operations that were reportedly carried out despite warnings from US officials that such moves could trigger further escalation.
The developments underscore the delicate position Riyadh finds itself in: while sustained pressure on Iran aligns with its long-standing strategic goals, a widening conflict risks spilling into Gulf states and threatening vital energy infrastructure across the region.
TRUMP SIGNALS UNCERTAINTY OVER WAR
Trump has sent mixed signals about how long the conflict could last. At times, the US President has suggested the fighting may end soon. On other occasions, he has indicated that the war could continue for some time.
Asked recently how he would decide when to stop the conflict, Trump said the decision would ultimately be based on instinct. “I’ll feel it in my bones,” he told reporters.
