Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made multiple private phone calls to US President Donald Trump over the past month, urging a military strike on Iran, according to a report by The Washington Post citing four people familiar with the matter. This lobbying effort occurred despite the Crown Prince's public statements advocating for diplomatic solutions to regional tensions with Tehran. The private advocacy contributed to Trump's decision to authorize joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran, which began on February 28, 2026, and resulted in the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, escalating the ongoing conflict into a broader regional crisis.

The Washington Post detailed that while US intelligence assessments indicated no imminent direct threat from Iran to the US mainland, allies including Saudi Arabia and Israel pressed for action, arguing that the moment presented an opportunity to weaken or topple the Iranian regime. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly warned that delaying a strike would allow Iran to grow stronger, particularly as it had amassed significant military capabilities in the region. His brother, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, also conveyed similar concerns during private meetings with US officials in late January 2026. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintained an open and longstanding push for such strikes, creating a rare convergence of interests between Riyadh and Jerusalem.

The revelation highlights a stark contrast between Saudi Arabia's public diplomacy and private maneuvering. Saudi officials have outwardly condemned the escalation, with statements following Iran's retaliatory missile attacks on Gulf states—including Saudi Arabia itself—emphasizing the need for stability and de-escalation. Yet the reported lobbying underscores longstanding Saudi concerns over Iran's regional influence, proxy activities, and nuclear ambitions, which have positioned Riyadh as a key opponent of Tehran in the Middle East power balance. Analysts note that a weakened or regime-changed Iran could elevate Saudi Arabia's standing as the dominant power in the Gulf.

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The private calls and subsequent strikes have intensified the fallout across West Asia, with Iran launching reprisals against US bases and allies, including explosions in Dubai and other locations. Saudi Arabia intercepted incoming missiles, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke with President Trump on March 1, 2026, to discuss the attacks and affirm US backing for Riyadh's defensive measures. The incident has drawn criticism for potentially undermining public diplomatic efforts and raising questions about the motivations behind the US decision, amid broader debates over congressional oversight and the risks of wider war.

As the conflict continues with ongoing strikes and retaliations, the reported Saudi role adds complexity to regional alliances and diplomacy. Global calls for restraint persist, but the private lobbying—combined with Israel's advocacy—appears to have played a pivotal part in the chain of events leading to Khamenei's death and the current volatility, with implications for long-term stability, oil markets, and international relations in the Middle East.

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