MBS Allegedly Urges Trump to Strike Iran, Saudi Response

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) is reported to have urged US President Donald Trump to continue attacks against Iran. The report was revealed by The New York Times, citing sources familiar with the conversation between the two parties.

In the report, MBS is said to view the conflict as a “historic opportunity” to reshape the geopolitical map of the Middle East. He is also reported to have asked Trump to continue pressuring Iran, including its government, which is seen as hardline.

The cited sources mention that MBS regards Iran as a long-term threat to the Gulf region that can only be addressed through regime change.

However, the Saudi government has strongly denied the allegations. Riyadh has affirmed its consistent push for resolving the conflict through peaceful means.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has consistently supported diplomatic efforts to achieve a credible agreement with Iran,” said a Saudi government spokesperson, quoted from an official statement by Middle East Monitor (MEMO), Thursday (26/3/2026).

This statement aligns with Saudi Arabia’s recent stance of rejecting direct involvement in the conflict. Indeed, MBS previously emphasised that he would not allow Saudi territory to be used as a base for attacks against Iran and advocated dialogue as the primary solution.

On the other hand, tensions in the region continue to rise following the military escalation between the US and Iran. Iran is reported to have retaliated with drone and missile attacks targeting several strategic points in the region, including areas with US military interests.

This situation places Saudi Arabia in a dilemma, where on one hand it maintains strategic relations with Washington, but on the other it seeks to curb the escalation of the conflict to prevent it from spreading in the Gulf region.