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Saudi Arabia Rejects Claims It Encouraged Prolonged War With Iran
Officials dismiss media report suggesting Riyadh privately pushed for extended conflict, insisting the kingdom supports diplomacy and regional stability
A Saudi official has rejected a report suggesting that the kingdom encouraged a prolonged war with Iran, firmly denying claims that Riyadh privately supported extended military action against Tehran.
The denial follows a report in a prominent U.S. newspaper alleging that Saudi leaders had privately urged President Donald Trump to intensify strikes against Iran despite publicly advocating restraint.
Saudi representatives dismissed the account as inaccurate, stating that the kingdom has consistently supported diplomatic engagement and regional de-escalation.
A spokesperson for the Saudi embassy in Washington said Saudi Arabia had never lobbied the United States to alter its policy toward Iran.
According to the statement, Riyadh’s communications with the Trump administration focused on encouraging diplomatic solutions and preventing a wider regional conflict.
The clarification comes amid heightened tensions across the Middle East following a series of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets and subsequent Iranian retaliation across the Gulf region.
Drone and missile attacks have targeted several Gulf states hosting U.S. military assets, including Saudi Arabia, raising concerns about a broader regional confrontation.
Saudi officials have emphasized that the kingdom seeks stability and has repeatedly called for negotiations to address the underlying disputes with Iran.
Diplomats say Riyadh has remained engaged in dialogue channels with Tehran even as hostilities escalated in the region.
At the same time, Saudi Arabia has warned that continued attacks on its territory or energy infrastructure would prompt defensive measures.
The kingdom’s leadership has underscored that safeguarding national security and protecting critical oil facilities remain essential priorities as the crisis unfolds.
The dispute over the media report highlights the complex diplomatic dynamics surrounding the conflict.
While Saudi Arabia maintains close security ties with the United States, it has also signaled that it does not wish to see the war expand further across the Gulf.
Officials in Riyadh say their position remains consistent: support for international efforts aimed at reducing tensions with Iran while ensuring that the kingdom retains the ability to defend itself against any aggression.
The denial follows a report in a prominent U.S. newspaper alleging that Saudi leaders had privately urged President Donald Trump to intensify strikes against Iran despite publicly advocating restraint.
Saudi representatives dismissed the account as inaccurate, stating that the kingdom has consistently supported diplomatic engagement and regional de-escalation.
A spokesperson for the Saudi embassy in Washington said Saudi Arabia had never lobbied the United States to alter its policy toward Iran.
According to the statement, Riyadh’s communications with the Trump administration focused on encouraging diplomatic solutions and preventing a wider regional conflict.
The clarification comes amid heightened tensions across the Middle East following a series of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets and subsequent Iranian retaliation across the Gulf region.
Drone and missile attacks have targeted several Gulf states hosting U.S. military assets, including Saudi Arabia, raising concerns about a broader regional confrontation.
Saudi officials have emphasized that the kingdom seeks stability and has repeatedly called for negotiations to address the underlying disputes with Iran.
Diplomats say Riyadh has remained engaged in dialogue channels with Tehran even as hostilities escalated in the region.
At the same time, Saudi Arabia has warned that continued attacks on its territory or energy infrastructure would prompt defensive measures.
The kingdom’s leadership has underscored that safeguarding national security and protecting critical oil facilities remain essential priorities as the crisis unfolds.
The dispute over the media report highlights the complex diplomatic dynamics surrounding the conflict.
While Saudi Arabia maintains close security ties with the United States, it has also signaled that it does not wish to see the war expand further across the Gulf.
Officials in Riyadh say their position remains consistent: support for international efforts aimed at reducing tensions with Iran while ensuring that the kingdom retains the ability to defend itself against any aggression.
