Is it Saudi Arabia calling the shots? Crown Prince MBS urges Trump to continue war with Iran – report

As the war in the Middle East enters its fourth week, a new report reveals: Saudi ArabiaCrown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been urging US President Donald Trump to continue military action against Iran. He described the conflict as a critical moment in reshaping the region.According to the New York Times, the Saudi crown prince pushed for continued pressure on Iran in recent discussions with Trump. He believes that the ongoing US-Israeli military operations provide a “historic opportunity” to reshape the Middle East. He said Iran poses a long-term threat to Gulf countries that can only be resolved by overthrowing the current government.The developments come amid a significant escalation in the conflict, raising concerns about regional stability, global energy markets and the risk of long-term war. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also sees Iran as a long-term threat, analysts note that Saudi Arabia has different concerns, particularly the risks posed by Iranian state instability or failure.Despite these reports, Saudi Arabia has publicly denied pushing for a prolongation of the war. “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has always supported the peaceful resolution of this conflict, even before it began,” the government said in an official statement. The statement further read: “Our primary concern today is to protect ourselves from daily attacks on our people and civilian infrastructure. Iran has chosen dangerous brinksmanship over serious diplomatic solutions. This hurts every relevant stakeholder, but not just Iran itself.”The war has already had serious economic and security consequences for Saudi Arabia. Iran has launched missile and drone strikes in response to U.S. and Israeli attacks, disrupting oil markets and threatening critical infrastructure. The Strait of Hormuz, an important channel for global energy supply, has been severely affected, and exports from Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait have been affected.While Trump has alternately signaled possible de-escalation and suggested further escalation, he recently claimed in a Truth Society post that he had “a productive conversation about a complete and complete resolution of our hostilities.”According to the New York Times, Prince Mohammed has advocated for stronger action, including targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure, and even hinted at the possibility of ground action to weaken the government in Tehran. Analysts also warned that Saudi Arabia faces complex dilemmas. While it may have strategic gains in weakening Iran, it is also vulnerable to regional instability. Past attacks, including on Saudi oil facilities in 2019, have shown the country’s vulnerability to Iranian retaliation.Saudi Arabia’s broader economic ambitions, particularly its Vision 2030 plan, could also be at risk if the conflict continues. A prolonged war could hamper investment, disrupt energy exports and strain financial resources at a time when the country is undergoing major economic reforms.