Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto leader of Saudi Arabia, has called on US President Donald Trump to continue the war against Iran, describing the US-Israeli military campaign as a "historic opportunity" to reshape the Middle East.
According to sources familiar with the talks between the two leaders, during a series of contacts in the last week, the Saudi prince has urged Trump to increase pressure to destroy the Iranian government, arguing that Iran poses a long-term threat to Gulf countries.
At the same time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also considers Iran a major threat, but analysts say Israel could see a weakened and embroiled Iran as a victory, while Saudi Arabia considers a failed Iranian state a direct threat to its security.
However, senior officials in the US and Saudi Arabia have expressed concern that if the war drags on, Iran could launch increasingly powerful attacks on Saudi oil installations and the US could be drawn into a protracted conflict.
Trump has publicly vacillated between statements that the war could end quickly and signals of further escalation. He has also claimed that the US and Iran have held "productive" talks, although Tehran has denied that negotiations are underway.
Meanwhile, missile and drone attacks by Iran, in response to US-Israeli operations, have caused shockwaves in the oil market and hit the energy sector in the region.
Saudi officials have denied that Prince Mohammed bin Salman has pushed for the continuation of the war, stating that Saudi Arabia supports a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
However, according to sources cited by American media, the Saudi prince has also discussed the possibility of ground operations against Iranian energy infrastructure to weaken the government in Tehran.
