Tom Boggioni
March 24, 2026
RAW STORY
Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman laugh.
Donald Trump is searching for an exit strategy from his increasingly unpopular war with Iran, but Saudi Arabia's de facto leader is pushing hard in the opposite direction — pressuring the president to view the conflict as an opportunity to reshape the entire Middle East.
According to the New York Times, controversial Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been aggressively urging Trump to intensify the war against Iran, according to people briefed by American officials on the private conversations.
In discussions over the past week, Prince Mohammed has told Trump that he must accelerate efforts toward dismantling Iran's hard-line government, according to those familiar with the talks.
Prince Mohammed contends that Iran represents an existential long-term threat to the Gulf region that cannot be adequately addressed without regime change, the sources said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu similarly regards Iran as a long-term threat, though the two allies have divergent strategic interests. Analysts note that Israeli officials would likely view a destabilized Iranian state consumed by internal chaos as a strategic victory, whereas Saudi Arabia sees a failed Iranian state as a direct and immediate security catastrophe.
Yet senior officials within both Saudi and American governments harbor serious concerns about prolonged conflict. They fear Iran will unleash increasingly devastating strikes against Saudi oil infrastructure while the United States becomes mired in an indefinite war.
Trump's public messaging has been erratic, oscillating between declarations that the war could end imminently and suggestions of escalation. On Monday, the president wrote on social media that his administration and Iran had engaged in "productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities," though Iran denied that any negotiations were taking place.
The war's toll on Saudi Arabia — economically and strategically — has been severe. Iranian drone and missile strikes, launched in response to American and Israeli military action against Iran, have already triggered significant disruptions throughout global energy markets.
Saudi Arabia's government flatly disputed claims that Prince Mohammed has advocated for prolonging the conflict.
"The kingdom of Saudi Arabia has always supported a peaceful resolution to this conflict, even before it began," the Saudi government said in a statement, adding that officials "remain in close contact with the Trump administration and our commitment remains unchanged."
By Mansour Al-Maswari
(Albawaba) — Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has privately urged US President Donald Trump to intensify military strikes against Iran, according to a report by The New York Times, even as Riyadh publicly emphasizes de-escalation.
Citing senior White House officials, the report said the crown prince has maintained frequent contact with Trump since the US-Israeli war began on February 28, encouraging sustained military pressure to neutralize Iranian capabilities. The stance echoes that of the late King Abdullah, who once urged Washington to “cut off the head of the snake.”
Saudi Arabia’s position appears to have hardened following Iranian missile and drone attacks earlier this month targeting US assets and Saudi territory. On March 23, three ballistic missiles aimed at Riyadh were intercepted by Saudi and US air defences.
Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan said trust with Tehran had been “completely shattered,” citing repeated attacks on Gulf states. In response, Riyadh has granted expanded US access to military facilities, including King Fahd Air Force Base, to support operations.
Saudi Arabia already hosts significant foreign military deployments, with the United States maintaining a major presence at Prince Sultan Air Base, alongside smaller European training and advisory missions.
The reported private position aligns with earlier remarks by the crown prince, including a 2019 interview in which he accused Iran of targeting Gulf shipping and warned that Saudi Arabia would not hesitate to confront threats directly.
However, Saudi officials have denied the report, insisting that the kingdom remains committed to regional stability and diplomatic de-escalation. The developments come as back-channel mediation efforts led by Pakistan and other regional actors are expected to lead to preliminary talks in Islamabad, even as fighting continues.
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