Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has expressed grave concern over US President Donald Trump’s plans to launch massive military strikes against Iran, according to Axios. The firm Saudi stance comes amid intensive communications between Riyadh and Washington. Meanwhile, the US administration has been considering potential attacks against Iranian energy targets in response to recent developments on the ground and disruptions to shipping.
Diplomatic moves and Saudi pressure to de-escalate
According to Axios, US officials, and informed sources, the Saudi Crown Prince spoke by phone with President Trump on Saturday, urging him to de-escalate and refrain from launching any new attacks. The Saudi side also requested a clear explanation of the potential US plan of action, given deep concerns about its potentially disastrous regional repercussions.
The contacts came just days after Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman met with the US Vice President in Washington, where he conveyed a clear message indicating the Kingdom’s preference for de-escalation. These diplomatic overtures come despite the joint US-Saudi strike this week against Iranian-backed militias in Iraq. In this context, it reflects Riyadh’s desire to frame military operations within a comprehensive containment strategy.
Escalation calculations and energy threats
The Saudi stance comes amid Trump’s serious consideration of launching attacks on Iranian energy facilities in response to a missile attack targeting a US base in Jordan and the continued disruption of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran, for its part, has threatened to retaliate by targeting energy infrastructure in Israel and the Gulf states. This threat could trigger a wider regional war. Saudi Arabia is one of Washington’s most important allies in the region. Despite periods of tension during the past five months of the conflict, Riyadh has repeatedly succeeded in influencing Trump’s policy toward Iran at crucial moments.
