Saudi Crown Prince pushes Trump to continue Iran war until regime change as US eyes exit: Report

As US President Donald Trump seeks a way out of the Iran war and his top envoys are already engaged in negotiations with Tehran through intermediaries, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reportedly urged him to continue striking Iran.

According to a report by The New York Times, the Saudi Crown Prince has spoken to Trump several times over the past week and insisted that he continue the attacks on Iran until the country’s regime is changed.

Advertisement

After the US and Israel attacked Iran on May 28, Tehran had retaliated by striking US bases and other assets in several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia.

In view of this, Bin Salman sees Iran as a long-term threat as long as the Ayatollah-led Islamic Republic exists. According to the US daily, he fears Iran could again target Saudi Arabia and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

While Saudi Arabia has publicly called for a diplomatic solution to the war, Bin Salman wants the United States and Israel to launch attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure in order to weaken the Iranian regime.

The report further claimed that MBS has also suggested Trump deploy ground troops in Iran, topple the regime and take control of the country’s energy sources.

He even told Trump that the rise in oil and gas prices is temporary.

The development comes amid Trump’s announcement that the US and Iran have been engaged in peace talks. The US President had also postponed his promised military strikes on Iranian power plants for five days as he thinks the talks were heading in the right direction.

Iran, however, has publicly dismissed Trump’s claim, calling it an attempt to stabilise energy markets. Tehran has said that it will negotiate with the US only after its war goals are met.