Gulf allies of the United States, led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, are pressing U.S. President Donald Trump
to intensify and extend the ongoing military campaign against Iran, arguing that Tehran’s capabilities remain largely intact.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reportedly conveyed to White House officials that further weakening of Iran’s military strength and
clerical leadership would serve the long-term strategic interests of the Gulf region and beyond.
According to U.S., Gulf, and Israeli officials, regional allies now view the conflict as a rare opportunity to significantly curb Iran’s influence.
This marks a shift from their earlier concerns at the outset of the war, when some allies privately criticised
Washington for not providing adequate advance notice of the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes and warned of severe regional consequences.
Despite those initial reservations, several Gulf nations are now advocating for sustained military pressure,
arguing that the current campaign could potentially reshape the regional balance of power if pursued further.
The push highlights growing alignment among key U.S. allies in the Gulf, even as debates continue in
Washington over the duration and objectives of the military operation against Iran.