Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reportedly urged US President Donald Trump to continue military operations against Iran, describing the campaign as a historic opportunity to reshape the Middle East.
According to The New York Times, in recent phone calls, Prince Mohammed bin Salman told Trump that the US-Israel military initiative presents a chance to remove Iran’s hardline government, which he views as a long-term threat to the Gulf region.
Senior officials in both Saudi Arabia and the United States have expressed concern that a prolonged conflict could trigger intensified attacks by Iran on Saudi oil infrastructure and potentially draw the US into a long-term war.
Trump has sent conflicting messages about the conflict’s duration, at times suggesting it could end quickly and at other times indicating it might continue.
On Monday, March 23, he claimed on social media that “effective talks” had taken place between the U.S. and Iran, a statement denied by Tehran.
Analysts say the current situation increases uncertainty in the Middle East and raises the risk of broader regional instability.