- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman raised concerns during a phone call with President Donald Trump about the potential for the U.S. to escalate the conflict with Iran, according to a person familiar with the discussion.
- During the call, the crown prince asked Trump to reconsider potential large military strikes on Iran, as reported by *Axios*.
- The Saudis expressed concern and sought clarity on Trump's potential actions against Iran, according to two U.S. officials cited by *Axios*.
- Israel has raised its alert and readiness for a potential resumption of large U.S. strikes on Iran, according to two Israeli sources cited by The Jerusalem Post.
- Indirect talks between the U.S. and Iran on Saturday resulted in some progress, although no agreement was reached.
- The Saudis are concerned that if the U.S. targets Iran's energy infrastructure, it could lead to retaliatory attacks on the kingdom's energy infrastructure.
- Other countries in the region, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Pakistan, have also urged Trump to avoid escalating the situation.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed significant concerns to President Trump during a phone call on Saturday regarding potential U.S. military strikes on Iran. The crown prince urged Trump to reconsider these actions, fearing they could lead to unprecedented regional escalation.15
The Saudis are particularly worried that targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure could provoke retaliatory attacks on their own and other Gulf nations' energy assets. This sentiment was echoed by other regional players, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Pakistan, who have also urged the U.S. to avoid escalating tensions.67
The call comes as Trump weighs new military options against Iran, with reports indicating that Israel has heightened its alert status in anticipation of possible U.S. strikes. The White House has not commented on the call, and indirect talks between the U.S. and Iran have reportedly made some progress, although no agreement has been reached.4
The situation remains fluid, with the potential for significant geopolitical ramifications should military action be taken.
“Riyadh fears Tehran could retaliate against Gulf energy infrastructure if Washington targets Iran's oil facilities, a concern the crown prince pressed during Saturday's call. Other regional leaders, including Qatar, the UAE, Turkey, and Pakistan, have also asked Trump to avoid escalation.”
The Jerusalem Post
