Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman privately urged President Donald Trump to avoid large-scale airstrikes against Iran and instead pursue de-escalation, according to a report citing U.S. Officials and sources familiar with the discussions.
The crown prince raised his concerns during a telephone conversation with Trump as the president considers possible military action against Iranian energy facilities, following Iran's missile attack on a U.S. Base in Jordan and continued threats to commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump has not yet given final approval for any retaliatory strikes, despite speculation Friday that military action was imminent.
Iran has warned that any large-scale U.S. Attack would trigger retaliation against energy and infrastructure sites across Israel and neighboring Gulf states.
"The Saudis expressed concern and asked for clarity about the plan of action," One U.S. Official said. A second source familiar with the call said the crown prince urged Trump to seek a diplomatic solution rather than authorize a broad military campaign.
The White House and Saudi Arabia's embassy in Washington did not comment on the reported conversation.
The call followed a Wednesday meeting between Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Trump. According to the report, the meeting was added to the defense minister's schedule after he first met with Vice President JD Vance to communicate Riyadh's desire to reduce tensions, despite joint U.S.-Saudi strikes against Iranian-backed militias in Iraq earlier that week.
Saudi Arabia remains a close U.S. Ally in the Middle East and has influenced Trump's approach toward Iran during the latest hostilities. Several other regional governments - including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Pakistan - have urged both Washington and Tehran to avoid further escalation and return to diplomacy.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, who has reportedly served as an intermediary between the United States and Iran. Araghchi also held discussions with the foreign ministers of Turkey and Saudi Arabia regarding potential U.S. Military action.
"Any hostile action by the US or Israel, or participation or cooperation by regional countries in such actions, would be met with a decisive and proportionate response from Iran's powerful armed forces," Araghchi told his Saudi counterpart, according to a statement on his Telegram channel.