Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East now entering their fourth\nweek, the role of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) is once\nagain under intense scrutiny. The conflict, sparked by joint US and\nIsraeli attacks on Iran last month, has revealed behind-the-scenes\ndiplomatic dynamics involving high-level lobbying.<\/p>\n
According to a recent New York Times report, MBS is said to have\nurged US President Donald Trump to continue military operations against\nIran. The Saudi leader described the current situation as a historic\nopportunity to reshape the geopolitical order in the Middle East.<\/p>\n
Citing sources familiar with the discussions, MBS conveyed to\nWashington that the US must press forward towards dismantling Iran\u2019s\nhardline government. He argued that Iran poses an existential long-term\nthreat to Gulf countries and that only a change in leadership in Tehran\ncan permanently eliminate that risk.<\/p>\n
The report not only urged targeting Iran\u2019s energy infrastructure but\nalso mentioned that in some discussions, Saudi officials floated the\nidea of deploying ground forces to ensure stability during a regional\ntransition.<\/p>\n
Although the Saudi Kingdom officially denies claims of such personal\npressure, President Donald Trump issued statements reinforcing\nindications of their military partnership. When asked about the NYT\nreport on Tuesday (24 March 2026), Trump praised MBS as a loyal\nally.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is a fighter. By the way, he fights with us. Saudi Arabia is very\ngood,\u201d Trump emphasised to the media.<\/p>\n
Saudi involvement in this escalation was suspected from the outset.\nThe Washington Post reported that Trump\u2019s decision to attack Iran at the\nend of February was taken after weeks of intensive lobbying by Israel\nand Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also held\ntalks with MBS. Starmer affirmed the UK\u2019s support for Saudi Arabia and\ninformed of additional deployments of British defence military equipment\nto the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cIran\u2019s ongoing attacks, including against critical national\ninfrastructure, are deeply concerning,\u201d said a Downing Street\nspokesperson referring to Starmer\u2019s statement.<\/p>\n
This four-week conflict began with a military strike that killed\nIran\u2019s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on 28 February 2026.\nSince then, Iran has retaliated by targeting US and Israeli assets in\nGulf countries, directly disrupting trade routes in the Strait of\nHormuz.<\/p>\n
Regional stability is a key pillar of MBS\u2019s Vision 2030 agenda, which\naims to position Saudi Arabia as a global investment hub. However, the\ntrauma of Iran\u2019s 2019 drone attacks on Aramco facilities, which cut\nproduction by 5.7 million barrels per day, appears to have triggered a\nparadigm shift in Riyadh. Regional officials warn that trust between the\nGulf bloc and Iran has now been completely shattered.<\/p>\n
The long-standing rivalry between Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia and\nShia powerhouse Iran is entering its most dangerous phase. Analysts\nassess that, regardless of how this conflict ends, the diplomatic wounds\ninflicted will cause long-term instability for international energy\nmarkets and the global economy.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/mbs-urges-trump-to-dismantle-iranian-regime-calls-it-a-historic-opportunity-1774450293", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }