Saudis Warn Trump: "Here's What Will Happen if You Don't Strike Iran"
Saudi Defense Minister Warns: Iran Will Strengthen If Trump Doesn't Act on Threats
In a private briefing in Washington yesterday (Friday), Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman reportedly warned that if U.S. President Donald Trump fails to follow through on his threats of military action against Iran, the Iranian regime would become emboldened and emerge stronger.
According to an Axios report, Prince Khalid, brother of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, told think tank experts and Jewish organization representatives: "At this point, if this doesn't happen, it will only embolden the regime."
The comments come amid heightened U.S.-Iran tensions, with Trump threatening strikes to force Tehran into nuclear talks following recent U.S. and Israeli actions against Iranian sites. Prince Khalid stressed minimizing escalation risks if action is taken.
This stance appears to differ from recent Saudi statements, including Crown Prince Mohammed's call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, where Riyadh assured no use of its airspace for attacks on Iran and urged regional stability.The briefing was part of Prince Khalid's U.S. visit, including Pentagon, State Department, and White House meetings on Iran issues.
With no strikes launched yet but tensions at a fever pitch following U.S. and Israeli operations against Iranian sites, the region remains on a knife-edge. Iran has vowed immediate retaliation for any direct hit, leaving the Trump administration to weigh the cost of action against the "emboldened" Iran that Prince Khalid fears.