Saudi and Israeli leaders present divergent strategies to President Trump as Iran conflict drags into sixth month
President Trump received contrasting advice from Israel’s prime minister and Saudi Arabia’s defense minister on how to handle the ongoing Iran-related war, while diplomatic efforts with Tehran remain stalled.
President Donald Trump met separately on Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman as the conflict that began in February enters its sixth month without a clear military or diplomatic resolution. Netanyahu outlined three possible U.S. courses: a enforceable nuclear-material removal deal, an expanded economic blockade, or targeted military strikes on supply routes.
"We see three options: a deal that removes the nuclear material, a blockade with added economic pressure, and focused military strikes on land routes," a senior Israeli official told CBS News.
Prince Khalid warned that Iran is seeking leverage through its proxy forces in Yemen, Iraq and elsewhere, and emphasized Saudi Arabia’s aim to avoid further regional escalation. The kingdom joined U.S. strikes against Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and bombed Houthi positions in Yemen, describing the actions as defensive responses to attacks on Saudi infrastructure.
U.S. officials said additional bombing would not topple the IRGC-controlled regime, and diplomatic overtures, including a short-lived memorandum of understanding to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, have so far failed. A senior Israeli official noted that economic sanctions and blockades could persuade pragmatic Iranian officials to negotiate, but Netanyahu continues to view regime change as a long-term objective.
The Pentagon has requested $67 billion in emergency funding to sustain the roughly 50,000 U.S. troops stationed across the Middle East, while Gulf allies such as the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait have faced frequent drone and missile attacks linked to the broader conflict.