Axios: Saudi defence chief warns US inaction on Iran would strengthen Tehran

Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said during a private briefing in Washington on January 30 that failing to act on President Donald Trump’s threats against Iran would ultimately strengthen the Iranian leadership.

According to several participants, quoted by Axios, Prince Khalid warned that stepping back after weeks of pressure would only embolden Tehran. “At this point, if this doesn’t happen, it will only embolden the regime,” he said, referring to the possibility of US military action.

The comments reflected a notable shift from Saudi Arabia’s public position, which has emphasised restraint and diplomacy. Just three weeks earlier, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged Trump to avoid military escalation, warning that a strike on Iran could trigger a wider regional conflict. That message was one of the factors behind Trump’s earlier decision to delay action.

Prince Khalid, the crown prince’s younger brother and closest adviser on defence matters, was in Washington for high-level discussions focused on Iran. He met at the White House with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, White House envoy Steve Witkoff, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine. A source familiar with the talks said the primary focus was the possibility of a US strike on Iranian targets.

Meanwhile, the US has ordered a significant military buildup in the Gulf, though White House officials stress that no final decision has been taken and that diplomatic options remain under consideration. At present, there are no serious direct negotiations between Washington and Tehran, with US officials saying Iran has shown little interest in accepting Washington’s far-reaching demands.

Publicly, Saudi Arabia continues to promote a cautious approach. Earlier this week, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told Iran’s president that Saudi airspace would not be used for any attack, and the kingdom reaffirmed its respect for Iran’s sovereignty while calling for a diplomatic solution.

Privately, however, Saudi officials now appear increasingly concerned that inaction could leave Iran in a stronger strategic position. Another Gulf official described the region as being trapped between the dangers of military escalation and the risks of allowing Tehran to emerge more powerful.

By Tamilla Hasanova