Saudi Arabia Urges Tougher U.S. Stance on Iran Over Regional Influence and Nuclear Program, Report Says

Saudi Arabia has urged the United States to adopt a tougher approach toward Iran to counter Tehran’s growing regional influence and advancing nuclear program, according to a report published by Axios.

The report said Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman conveyed the message during a closed-door meeting with senior U.S. officials in Washington. During the discussions, Prince Khalid reportedly warned that if the United States fails to take military action against Iran, Tehran could become even more aggressive and powerful in the future.

According to Axios, the Saudi defense minister cautioned U.S. officials that without the credible use of force, Iran would grow more confident in expanding its dominance across the Middle East.

While Saudi Arabia has publicly emphasized diplomatic engagement and regional stability in its relations with Iran, the report highlights a more assertive position being expressed behind the scenes. The private discussions underscore what analysts describe as Riyadh’s strategic dual-track approach—publicly supporting de-escalation while privately pushing for stronger deterrence.

The report also noted that sections of Saudi Arabia’s security establishment believe a credible military threat against Iran is necessary under the current Trump administration to restrain Tehran’s behavior.

However, Prince Khalid’s hardline remarks appear to differ from earlier public statements by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The crown prince has repeatedly warned that any military strike on Iran could destabilize the entire region. He has also pledged that Saudi territory would not be used to launch attacks against other countries.

The contrasting messages highlight ongoing internal and regional debates over how best to address Iran’s role in Middle Eastern security.