Donald Trump with Saudi crown prince (Image/AP)

As the war in the Middle East enters its fourth week, a new report has revealed that Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been urging US President Donald Trump to continue military operations against Iran. He described the conflict as a critical moment to reshape the region.According to The New York Times, the Saudi crown prince has, in recent discussions with Trump, pushed for sustained pressure on Iran. He argued that the ongoing US-Israel military campaign presents a “historic opportunity” to remake the Middle East. He has conveyed that Iran poses a long-term threat to Gulf nations and that this threat can only be addressed by removing its current government.These developments come at a time when the conflict has significantly escalated, raising concerns over regional stability, global energy markets and the risk of a prolonged war. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also viewed Iran as a long-term threat, analysts note that Saudi Arabia’s concerns differ, particularly regarding the risks posed by a destabilised or failed Iranian state.Despite these reports, Saudi Arabia has publicly denied pushing for an extension of the war. In an official statement, the government said, “The kingdom of Saudi Arabia has always supported a peaceful resolution to this conflict, even before it began”. “Our primary concern today is to defend ourselves from the daily attacks on our people and our civilian infrastructure. Iran has chosen dangerous brinkmanship over serious diplomatic solutions. This harms every stakeholder involved but none more than Iran itself,” the statement further read.The war has already had serious economic and security consequences for Saudi Arabia. Iranian missile and drone attacks, launched in response to US-Israel strikes, have disrupted oil markets and threatened key infrastructure. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy supplies, has been severely affected, impacting exports from Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait.While Trump has alternated between signalling a possible de-escalation and hinting at further escalation, he recently claimed in his Truth Social post that there had been “productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities”.Prince Mohammed has argued in favour of stronger action, including targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure and has even suggested the possibility of ground operations to weaken the government in Tehran, according to The New York Times. Analysts also caution that Saudi Arabia faces a complex dilemma. While it may see strategic gains in weakening Iran, it is also vulnerable to regional instability. Past attacks, including a 2019 strike on Saudi oil facilities, have shown the kingdom’s exposure to Iranian retaliation.Saudi Arabia’s broader economic ambitions, particularly its Vision 2030 plan, could also be at risk if the conflict continues. A prolonged war could deter investment, disrupt energy exports and strain financial resources at a time when the country is undertaking major economic reforms.