During recent negotiations, the prince emphasized to Trump the necessity of overthrowing the Iranian regime, viewing this as a way to eliminate a long-term threat to the countries in the region, particularly the Persian Gulf.
The prince claimed that Iran poses a serious and persistent threat that can only be eliminated through a change of power, sources familiar with his views said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also sees Iran as a danger; however, experts believe that Israeli authorities may consider an unstable Iranian state less threatening than Saudi Arabia, which perceives this instability as an immediate danger.
Nevertheless, high-ranking officials in both countries express concern that a protracted conflict could lead to more serious Iranian attacks on Saudi oil facilities and possible U.S. involvement in a drawn-out war.
Trump's position on the conflict has fluctuated: from hints at a possible cessation of hostilities to signals of escalation. On Monday, he stated on social media that his administration and Iran had conducted "productive negotiations for a complete and total resolution of our military actions," while Iran denied this information.
The economic consequences of the war for Saudi Arabia and its national security are significant. Iranian strikes using drones and missiles have already caused serious disruptions in the oil market.
Saudi authorities dismissed the notion that Prince Mohammed is interested in prolonging the conflict.
"Saudi Arabia has always supported a peaceful resolution to this conflict," government representatives stated, adding that they maintain constant contact with the Trump administration and remain committed to this approach.
"Our top priority is to protect citizens from daily attacks on people and infrastructure," the government emphasized. "Iran is playing a dangerous game instead of seeking real diplomatic solutions, which ultimately harms everyone, especially itself."
It has been reported that Trump has occasionally shown a desire to end the war, but Prince Mohammed insisted on the necessity of strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure to weaken the regime in Tehran.
This information is based on the opinions of individuals involved in negotiations with U.S. officials and discussing these issues on the condition of anonymity due to their sensitivity. The New York Times gathered views from various experts on the advisability of continuing the conflict and Prince Mohammed's role in advising Trump.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that the administration "does not comment on private conversations of the president."
Prince Mohammed, an authoritarian member of the royal family who leads a campaign to suppress dissent, commands respect from Trump and has previously influenced his decisions. Sources report that he suggested considering the deployment of troops in Iran to seize energy infrastructure.
In recent days, Trump has been contemplating a military operation to capture the island of Kharg, an important center of Iranian oil infrastructure, which could be extremely risky.
Nevertheless, Prince Mohammed has advocated for ground operations in his conversations with Trump.
The Saudi position on the conflict is shaped by both economic and political factors. Iranian retaliatory measures have already led to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, negatively impacting the region's energy sector. Most of the oil from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait must pass through this strait to reach international markets.
Although Saudi Arabia and the UAE have created alternative pipelines, these routes have also come under attack.
Analysts believe that Prince Mohammed would likely prefer to avoid war, but he is concerned that if Trump backs down now, Saudi Arabia and the entire Middle East will be left alone in front of Iran.
They also believe that an unresolved conflict would make the kingdom vulnerable to frequent attacks from Iran, which could periodically close the Strait of Hormuz.
"Saudi officials certainly want the war to end, but it is important how exactly this happens," noted Yasmin Farouk, director of the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula project at the International Crisis Group.
The attack on Saudi oil facilities in 2019, supported by Iran, which temporarily paralyzed half of the country's oil production, forced the prince to reconsider his approach to the Islamic Republic.
As a result, Saudi officials began attempts at a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, restoring relations with Iran in 2023, realizing that an alliance with the U.S. only provides partial protection against Iranian threats.
Other countries in the region, including the UAE, are also seeking to improve relations with Iran for similar reasons.
After Trump decided to initiate military actions despite warnings from several Gulf governments, Iran responded with massive missile strikes against countries in the region, complicating efforts to win it over.
"The little trust that existed before has been completely destroyed," said Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan at a recent press conference.
Saudi Arabia possesses significant stocks of Patriot interceptors, which are used to protect against Iranian attacks on oil fields and cities. However, their numbers are insufficient, and drones and missiles have already caused damage to facilities, including a refinery and the U.S. embassy, resulting in casualties among migrants.
Throughout the war, Netanyahu has emphasized the importance of military operations capable of leading to the fall of the Iranian government. American officials, in turn, have focused on weakening Iran's missile and naval capabilities, expressing skepticism about the possibility of regime change.
Despite significant losses among Iranian leaders, the hardline government continues to maintain control over the situation.
Analysts note that Saudi officials express concerns that an unstable Iranian state poses a real threat to them. They believe that even if the Iranian government falls, elements of the army or new militias that arise in the process may continue to attack the kingdom, focusing their efforts on oil facilities.
Some analysts suggest that Prince Mohammed views the war as an opportunity to strengthen Saudi Arabia's influence in the Middle East and is confident that the kingdom can protect itself even in the context of a prolonged conflict.
During his conversations with the prince, Trump expressed concern about oil prices and their impact on the economy. The Saudi leader assured him that this is only a temporary phenomenon.
Nevertheless, American and regional officials are skeptical about the rapid stabilization of oil markets after the war, believing that Saudi Arabia will not be able to compensate for the shortfall caused by the conflict, as its land pipeline can only transport a small portion of the oil that usually passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
While Saudi Arabia is in a better position than other Gulf countries to endure the closure of the strait, it could face serious consequences if the waterway does not reopen soon.
Even before the war, Prince Mohammed faced financial difficulties in his quest to transform Saudi Arabia into a global business hub by 2030. His government forecasts a budget deficit for several years ahead, as ambitious projects and investments in technology are draining the country's resources.
A prolonged conflict with Iran will jeopardize all these plans. The prince's success depends on creating a safe environment for investors and tourists.
Last week, in response to a question about whether the government prefers an immediate end to the war or the continuation of the conflict to weaken Iran, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal stated that the only priority for officials is to stop Iranian attacks on the kingdom and neighboring countries.
"We are ready to use all available levers — political, economic, diplomatic, and others — to stop these attacks," added Prince Faisal.
The full translation of the New York Times article "Saudi Leader Is Said to Push Trump to Continue Iran War in Recent Calls."
