KATHMANDU: As the United States was preparing for a potential military strike against Iran, Saudi Arabia strongly opposed the move, it has been revealed. According to Gulf and US officials, Saudi Arabia—along with Qatar, Oman, and Turkey—applied diplomatic pressure on the then Trump administration to refrain from military action.
Saudi Arabia reportedly took a stand against a US attack due to concerns that it could escalate regional instability, disrupt global oil supplies, and trigger a wider war across the Middle East. Despite its long-standing ideological and strategic rivalry with Iran, Riyadh concluded that an open conflict would pose serious threats to Saudi security and negatively affect its domestic and regional interests.
Previously, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had made harsh remarks comparing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. He had also warned that if Iran acquired nuclear weapons, Saudi Arabia would follow the same path. However, despite such strong rhetoric, Saudi leadership preferred a diplomatic solution over immediate military confrontation.
Analysts say Saudi Arabia believed that a US–Iran conflict would significantly endanger American military bases, oil infrastructure, and key maritime routes in the Gulf region. As a result, it coordinated with countries such as Qatar, Oman, and Turkey to urge Washington to exercise restraint.
The episode highlights that Saudi Arabia’s regional policy is not driven solely by rivalry but is deeply tied to its own security concerns, economic stability, and long-term strategic interests.
