The Saudi leader conveyed his concerns in direct discussions with Trump as reports indicated possible additional US operations targeting Iranian sites, according to the Arab Times. Prince Mohammed bin Salman emphasized the risks of broader instability across the Gulf if military actions intensified at this stage. The call underscored Riyadh’s focus on diplomatic pathways to resolve the standoff that began with Operation Epic Fury in late February.
Iranian missile and drone barrages have targeted several Gulf locations in recent weeks, Arab Times reported on July 16. Kuwaiti defenses intercepted incoming threats while Bahrain activated missile alerts multiple times in a single day. These exchanges have placed critical infrastructure at heightened risk and disrupted maritime activities in key waterways.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth estimated in July that the conflict had cost $37.5 billion to date with 17 American personnel killed and more than 100 injured. The operation launched on Feb. 28 has degraded but not eliminated Iran’s ability to launch attacks, according to assessments cited in regional reporting. Trump has alternated between threats of further strikes and signals of possible negotiations.
The Crown Prince inquired about conditions in neighboring states and reaffirmed Saudi solidarity with Kuwait following Iranian strikes on its territory, a July 22 Arab Times dispatch stated. He pressed for measures to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a passage that carries roughly 20 percent of global oil trade according to longstanding maritime data. Saudi Arabia has participated in a multinational coalition to safeguard shipping routes from proxy attacks.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman has engaged repeatedly with US officials throughout the crisis that has also affected efforts to stabilize Gaza, Trump noted in a separate briefing. The kingdom has advocated for coordinated regional responses rather than unilateral escalation. Officials in Riyadh continue to monitor developments closely while backing defensive partnerships with Washington.
Gulf states have united in condemning the Iranian actions that have raised energy prices and strained economies across the area, multiple Arab Times accounts showed. The latest Saudi intervention arrives as European aviation authorities warned carriers against operating in parts of the region due to the risks. Leaders seek to prevent the conflict from extending further into the fall.
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