Saudi leader pushing Trump to continue Iran attacks: NYT

Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed bin Salman has urged US President Trump in recent conversations to continue military action against Iran, framing the US-Israeli campaign as a “historic opportunity” to reshape the Middle East, according to a report.

Later, Saudi officials rejected the idea that the prince pushed to prolong the war, stressing the Kingdom pushed peaceful resolution even before the conflict began.

The New York Times report, based on interviews with people briefed by American officials, says Prince Mohammed has, over the past week, encouraged Trump to intensify military pressure aimed at the collapse of Iran’s hard-line leadership.

As per the report, the prince also argued that Iran poses a long-term threat to the Gulf that can only be eliminated by getting rid of the government.

A separate report from Bloomberg claims Saudi and UAE officials are seriously weighing their options for joining the war should Iran push through on its threat to hit critical infrastructure as a tit-for-tat move following potential US-Israeli strikes on Iranian power facilities.

Regional tensions have escalated since 28 February, when the US and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran that has killed more than 1,300 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries that are home to US military assets.

Saudi, UAE considering ‘red line’ for joining war against Iran

Iran’s biggest Gulf Arab neighbours are considering joining the US-Israeli war against Iran, and could be pushed to if Tehran attacks their critical infrastructure, according to several people with knowledge of the situation.

The Gulf’s most powerful states, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, in particular, are losing patience with Iranian strikes that have already hit ports, energy facilities and airports, said these people, who requested anonymity in order to speak freely. But they would only join the war if Tehran makes good on its threats to attack vital Gulf power and water infrastructure — a high threshold, the people added.

A day earlier, the Wall Street Journal reported that Gulf states are moving closer to direct involvement in the war against Iran.

Officials and sources familiar with the matter cited in the report said that recent steps by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have strengthened US operational capabilities while stopping short of full military participation. According to the report, these measures include allowing expanded access to military bases and targeting Iranian financial networks, signaling a shift as pressure mounts on Gulf leaders to respond.

Saudi Arabia has agreed to allow US forces to use King Fahd Air Base, reversing an earlier position that its territory would not be used for strikes on Iran. The shift follows Iranian missile and drone attacks on key Saudi infrastructure, including energy facilities and the capital, Riyadh. Saudi FM Faisal bin Farhan said last week, “Saudi Arabia’s patience with Iranian attacks is not unlimited,” adding that “any belief that Gulf countries are incapable of responding is a miscalculation.”

The UAE has also intensified pressure on Tehran, shutting down Iranian-linked institutions in Dubai and warning it could freeze billions of dollars in Iranian assets. In a statement, authorities said, “Certain institutions directly linked to the Iranian regime and IRGC will be closed under targeted measures after being found to have been misused to advance agendas that do not serve the Iranian people and in violation of U.A.E. law.” These steps could significantly restrict Iran’s access to foreign currency and trade.