The Saudi embassy in Washington has denied a report claiming the kingdom pressured former President Donald Trump to launch attacks on Iran. The statement, posted on X, emphasized that Saudi Arabia has consistently supported diplomatic efforts for a reliable agreement with Tehran.
A spokesperson said the kingdom never pressured the US administration at any stage to change its policy toward Iran. The clarification came after an American newspaper suggested the US attack on Iran occurred despite intelligence indicating Tehran posed no immediate threat to the US homeland over the next decade.
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Following the airstrikes, Trump stated that US ground forces would not enter Iran, and military objectives would be achieved via air and missile operations. The Saudi embassy reiterated that Riyadh advocates diplomacy rather than military escalation in the region.
Experts cited by the US newspaper warned that historically, airpower alone rarely succeeds in altering another country’s internal political system. They stressed that achieving regime change without ground intervention is usually extremely challenging.
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Saudi Arabia’s clarification aims to distance the kingdom from claims of influencing US military decisions. Analysts note that Riyadh continues to prioritize regional stability and long-term diplomatic engagement with Iran while supporting international mediation efforts.