Saudi Crown Prince Urged Trump to Intensify Strikes on Iran, New York Times Reports
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged U.S. President Donald Trump to intensify strikes against Iran amid the escalating conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States, according to a New York Times report citing unnamed U.S. officials.
The crown prince has been in regular contact with Trump during the ongoing conflict, advising him to continue striking Iran forcefully, the report said. The message echoes previous Saudi advice, including a remark by the late King Abdullah to "cut off the head of the snake," revealed in 2010 WikiLeaks diplomatic cables. Those cables showed several Gulf leaders encouraging stronger U.S. action against Iran's nuclear program.
The report comes as the conflict intensifies, with strikes reported on military and strategic targets across the region. In response to earlier U.S. and Israeli attacks, Iran has launched missile and drone strikes against several targets, including near the U.S. embassy area in Riyadh.
Saudi officials have not publicly commented on the reported contacts or the advice for stronger military action.
Gulf states have long viewed Iran's regional influence and nuclear ambitions as major security concerns, which has shaped their diplomatic and security ties with Washington. The latest developments highlight the complex regional dynamics and the role of Gulf powers in influencing the conflict's direction.
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