Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reportedly urged U.S. President Donald Trump to maintain "hard-hitting" military pressure on Iran, according to a New York Times report published Sunday (March 15).
White House officials confirmed that President Trump is in regular contact with Arab leaders, specifically the Saudi Crown Prince, as the joint U.S.-Israel military campaign enters its third week. The offensive, which began on February 28, has targeted Iranian military infrastructure and leadership for 17 consecutive days.
While the Saudi government has publicly advocated for diplomacy and denied the use of its territory for strikes to avoid Tehran’s retaliation, internal reports suggest a more aggressive private stance. In conversations with the White House, the Crown Prince has reportedly warned that failing to neutralize Iran’s capabilities now would lead to "disastrous consequences" for regional stability.
U.S. officials noted that the current advice from Riyadh mirrors the famous "cut off the head of the snake" plea made by the late King Abdullah. This strategy emphasizes dismantling the Iranian regime's core leadership rather than engaging in prolonged proxy conflicts.
The conflict was sparked following the breakdown of nuclear negotiations in February. Since the surprise strikes began, Iran has retaliated with drone and missile attacks across the Gulf, hitting targets in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. Despite these threats, the latest reports indicate that Riyadh’s private counsel remains focused on ensuring the U.S. does not de-escalate prematurely.
