Overview
- The New York Times reported Tuesday that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged President Trump to keep and widen the U.S.–Israeli campaign against Iran.
- Sources told the Times he pushed strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure and even raised the option of deploying ground forces.
- Trump publicly called MBS “a warrior,” while Saudi officials issued a statement rejecting claims that he pressed Washington to prolong the war.
- Separate reporting said Gulf partners are edging toward active support, with Saudi Arabia granting the U.S. access to King Fahd Air Base.
- The conflict has entered a fourth week and has slowed traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, straining oil shipments and other trade across the Gulf.