Saudi Royals Urge US to Keep Pressure on Iran in Trump Talks

Saudi Arabia's powerful crown prince is said to have pressed President Trump to maintain a hardline stance against Iran during recent phone calls, underscoring the kingdom's efforts to shape US foreign policy in the Middle East. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has repeatedly called for the US to take a more aggressive posture towards Tehran, its regional rival, according to people familiar with the discussions.

The prince's push to keep up the pressure on Iran comes as the Trump administration faces a crucial decision on whether to reimpose crippling economic sanctions that were lifted under the Iran nuclear deal. Trump has threatened to withdraw from the agreement, which was negotiated by the Obama administration, unless European allies agree to toughen its terms.

The close ties between the Trump White House and the Saudi royal family have been a defining feature of the president's foreign policy. Trump has embraced the crown prince as a key partner in the region and has taken the Saudis' side in their regional power struggle with Iran.

Trump hosted the crown prince at the White House last year, and the two leaders have spoken by phone on multiple occasions. The president's son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, has also developed a close rapport with the 32-year-old crown prince, who is known for his assertive regional policies.

Critics have accused the Trump administration of being too deferential to the Saudis and ignoring the kingdom's dismal human rights record and involvement in the devastating civil war in Yemen. But the president and his team have firmly aligned the US with Saudi Arabia, in part to counterbalance Iran's growing influence in the region.

The pressure from the Saudis represents a test for Trump, who must balance his desire to take a tough line on Iran with concerns about the potential fallout from a new conflict in the Middle East. The president has indicated that he is open to renegotiating the Iran deal, but it's unclear whether the Europeans will agree to his demands.

If Trump does reimpose sanctions, it could lead to a new confrontation with Iran and potentially disrupt global oil markets. The Saudis have been eager to see the US take a more assertive stance, but some experts warn that such a move could backfire and further destabilize the volatile region.

Regardless, the continued close coordination between the White House and the Saudi royal family underscores the kingdom's growing influence over US foreign policy in the Middle East under the Trump administration.