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Did Saudi Prince privately urge Trump to strike Iran? Bombshell report claims MBS made multiple calls to Trump

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman advocated for military action against Iran in private talks with President Donald Trump, a Washington Post report claims.

Published on: Mar 1, 2026, 17:50:48 IST
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Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) engaged in several private phone conversations with US President Donald Trump last month, advocating for a military strike on Iran, despite publicly supporting diplomatic solutions, claimed Washington Post in its bombshell report.

Saudi Crown Prince MBS privately pushed President Trump for military action against Iran, contradicting his public support for diplomacy.
Saudi Crown Prince MBS privately pushed President Trump for military action against Iran, contradicting his public support for diplomacy.

Back in January, the Saudi crown prince stated that he would not permit the use of his country's airspace or territory for an assault on Iran. He emphasized that Saudi Arabia would honor Iran's sovereignty and encouraged both Washington and Tehran to address their differences through dialogue.

Trump on Saturday announced the initiation of ‘major combat operations’ against Iran, leading to explosions in Tehran. Israel also launched “preemptive” strikes against Iran.

The US and Israel executed a coordinated military strike aimed at Iranian military and governmental facilities following stalled nuclear negotiations and allegations that Iran had resumed its nuclear activities.

“A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,” Trump stated in a video message on his Truth Social account.

Also Read: Who is Morticia Addams? Woman who lit cigarette with flaming Khamenei's photo celebrates his ‘pathetic' death

Israel-US-Iran conflict: Report reveals what MBS told US officials

The Washington Post report mentioned that MBS, in discussions with U.S. officials, cautioned that Iran would become more formidable and perilous if Washington failed to deploy the substantial military force it has gathered in the Middle East.

The Post further stated that the Saudi crown prince’s sibling, Khalid bin Salman, conveyed a comparable message during private discussions while visiting Washington in January. It added that Trump ultimately opted to move forward with the attack despite his longstanding policy and the absence of any direct threat from Iran to U.S. territory.

According to the Post, MBS' dual strategy likely demonstrated a wish to prevent Iranian retaliation against Saudi oil infrastructure. People close to him acknowledged that he perceives Tehran as Riyadh’s primary regional adversary. Saudi Arabia, under its Sunni leadership, has historically been in rivalry with Shiite-led Iran.

Also Read: 'Even if they kill me...', What Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in final chilling public speech

Iran declares 40 days of national mourning

Iran is currently in a state of 40 days of national mourning following the death of its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with reports of extensive grief and protests throughout the nation.

Before his assassination, Khamenei endeavored to establish a unified Muslim state for all countries under the banner of Islam.

  • Shweta Kukreti
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Shweta Kukreti

    Shweta Kukreti has over 8 years of experience in covering Indian and world politics. She joined the Hindustan Times in 2024 and is primarily assigned to the US desk. She currently works as Deputy Chief Content Producer and reports on a wide range of topics, including US politics, immigration issues (especially H-1B visa) and major global events. Shweta strongly emphasizes team operations, which encompasses monitoring news, delegating tasks, editing, developing comprehensive coverage strategies, and crafting engaging, and data-informed narratives. She received the Digi Star Award at the Hindustan Times within a year of joining for her broad coverage of US politics. In 2025, she earned both a promotion and a redesignation, a significant achievement recognising her contributions and the strong value she brings to the team. She has previously worked with the Indian Express, HTDS, ANI and Republic World. Seniors in all the media organisations recognised her work. Regarding education, she earned a BA (Hons.) in Political Science and a master's degree from Delhi University, and she pursued a PG Diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institution of Mass Communication (IIMC). She also holds a diploma in Women's Empowerment and Development from IGNOU University and a French certification course from Alliance Française de Delhi. If not working, you can find her exploring the hills and engaging in adventurous activities in Rishikesh and Himachal Pradesh. She loves to play badminton, volleyball, and chess, and spend time with her friends and family. She also enjoys spiritual activities.Read More

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