Saudi Arabia and UAE Urge Trump to Maintain Pressure on Iran
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are privately pressing U.S. President Donald Trump to sustain military pressure on Iran, arguing that Tehran has not been sufficiently weakened by the ongoing U.S.-led campaign, according to U.S., Gulf and Israeli officials.
Officials from the two Gulf states, along with Kuwait and Bahrain, have conveyed in closed-door conversations that they do not want the operation to end until there are significant changes in Iranian leadership or a dramatic shift in Tehran’s behavior. The outreach comes as Trump has alternated between suggesting Iran’s leadership may be ready for a settlement and threatening further escalation if no deal materializes quickly.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has told White House officials that further degrading Iran’s military capabilities and clerical leadership would serve the long-term interests of the Gulf region and beyond, according to a person briefed on the discussions. Riyadh has outlined conditions for any eventual settlement, including neutralizing Iran’s nuclear program, dismantling its ballistic missile arsenal, ending support for regional proxy groups, and ensuring the Strait of Hormuz cannot be effectively closed in the future.
The UAE has taken a particularly firm stance. Emirati officials have voiced frustration over repeated Iranian missile and drone attacks on their territory and have argued that pressure must continue until Iran is constrained in its use of missiles, support for militias, and ability to disrupt commercial shipping through the Gulf. One Gulf diplomat described Saudi Arabia and the UAE as leading the calls among regional partners for increased military pressure.
Gulf states host U.S. forces and bases used in the campaign but have not formally joined offensive strikes, though they have supported defensive efforts. The private messaging marks a shift from earlier concerns about the risks of conflict to a view among key allies that the current moment offers an opportunity to constrain Iran more decisively.
Trump has publicly highlighted Gulf support, stating that Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other partners are “fighting back.” Officials speaking on condition of anonymity cautioned that regional positions are not uniform and that some Gulf partners remain more cautious about prolonged fighting.
The developments underscore the complex calculations facing U.S. allies in the Gulf as the conflict continues, with energy security, regional stability and long-term deterrence against Iran all weighing heavily on their assessments.
