Saudi Crown Prince Urges Trump to “Keep Hitting” Iran as Talks Collapse
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is reportedly urging Donald Trump to continue military action against Iran, even as Trump publicly signals progress toward ending the war.
The reported private push adds tension to an already volatile conflict, where diplomacy and escalation appear to be moving in opposite directions.
According to officials cited in multiple reports, bin Salman has been in regular contact with Trump and advised him to “keep hitting the Iranians hard” as the war unfolds. The war, launched Feb. 28 by U.S. and Israeli forces, has already included strikes on more than 90 Iranian military targets.
But Trump has simultaneously claimed that talks with Iran are making progress, describing them as “constructive,” even as Iranian leaders deny any negotiations are taking place.
“We are having very good and productive conversations,” Trump said, according to Reuters.
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The conflicting signals highlight a broader divide between U.S. public messaging and regional ally influence, particularly as Saudi Arabia views the conflict as a chance to shift the balance of power in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, violence continues across the region, with missile strikes, air raids, and oil market disruptions showing no clear path to de-escalation.
Officials say indirect diplomacy is still ongoing through intermediaries, but no confirmed direct talks have taken place.
For now, the next phase depends on whether backchannel pressure or public diplomacy drives U.S. decision-making.
The outcome remains uncertain as both war and negotiations move forward at the same time.
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