Reports Suggest Saudi Arabia and Israel Urged Trump to Launch Strikes on Iran
Recent media reports indicate that both Saudi Arabia and Israel played significant roles in encouraging former U.S. President Donald Trump to authorize military strikes against Iran. According to sources cited in international news coverage, the Saudi Crown Prince was notably proactive in privately lobbying the U.S. administration for military action, despite publicly advocating for a diplomatic approach. Meanwhile, Israeli officials were openly supportive of U.S. intervention, highlighting shared regional concerns regarding Iran's ambitions.
The convergence of interests between Saudi Arabia and Israel is largely attributed to their mutual perception of Iran as a regional adversary. Despite lacking formal diplomatic relations, both nations have historically viewed Iran's nuclear program and regional influence as threats. Israeli leadership, particularly Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has consistently urged the United States to take decisive measures against Iran, emphasizing Israel's security concerns. U.S. officials noted that Israel maintained contingency plans for strikes, prompting the American administration to consider its level of involvement.
Saudi Arabia's position, however, was less straightforward. While Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman publicly promoted dialogue, reports suggest that, in confidential communications with U.S. officials, he expressed apprehension about Iran's growing influence. These discussions reportedly included warnings about the ramifications of inaction, with the Crown Prince and his brother, the Saudi Defense Minister, advocating for a military response to deter further Iranian advances in the region. The rivalry between the Sunni-led Saudi government and the Shia-led Iranian regime has been evident in various regional conflicts, including the ongoing proxy war in Yemen.
Despite these appeals, American intelligence assessments did not identify an imminent threat from Iran to the United States. Analyses conducted by U.S. agencies indicated that Iran's nuclear program did not pose a direct danger to the U.S. mainland in the near or mid-term. Furthermore, international monitoring organizations, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency, reportedly found no substantial evidence of renewed uranium enrichment or active efforts by Iran to develop nuclear weapons at the time.
Nevertheless, in June 2025, the United States conducted airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities. Although the official rationale cited the prevention of Iran's nuclear armament, intelligence reports highlighted a lack of immediate risk. The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency also found no indications that Iran was developing long-range missile capabilities capable of reaching American territory.
The aftermath of these strikes has led to heightened instability in the region. Iran and Israel engaged in reciprocal missile attacks, while U.S. military bases in the Gulf and locations in allied Gulf States were also targeted. The Iranian leadership responded to the killing of its Supreme Leader by announcing that an interim council would oversee state affairs until a successor is appointed by religious authorities. The situation remains volatile, with regional actors and international observers expressing concern over the potential for further escalation.
In a statement, the U.S. administration justified its actions by referencing the perceived threat posed by Iran and the necessity of preventing nuclear proliferation. The U.S. also called upon the Iranian population to seek political change, though the prospects and mechanisms for such an outcome remain unclear.
The ongoing conflict underscores the complexity of Middle Eastern geopolitics, where alliances and rivalries intersect with global security interests. The involvement of major regional powers in lobbying for military intervention highlights the enduring tensions and the challenges facing international efforts to maintain stability in the region.