As the war in the Middle East enters its fourth week, a new report has revealed that Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is urging US President Donald Trump to continue military operations against Iran. He described this conflict as an important moment to reshape the region.According to The New York Times, the Saudi Crown Prince has emphasized continued pressure on Iran in recent discussions with Trump. He argued that the ongoing US–Israeli military campaign presents a “historic opportunity” to rebuild the Middle East. He has said that Iran is a long-term threat to the Gulf countries and this threat can be dealt with only by removing its current government.The developments come at a time when the conflict has escalated, raising concerns over regional stability, global energy markets and the risk of prolonged war. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also sees Iran as a long-term threat, analysts say Saudi Arabia has different concerns, particularly with regard to the risks posed by an unstable or failing Iranian state.Despite these reports, Saudi Arabia has publicly denied pushing for an expansion of the war. In an official statement, the government said, “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has always supported a peaceful resolution to this conflict, even before it started”. “Our primary concern today is to protect ourselves from the daily attacks on our people and our civilian infrastructure. Iran has chosen dangerous instability rather than serious diplomatic solutions. This hurts every stakeholder involved, but none more than Iran,” the statement further said.The war has already had serious economic and security consequences for Saudi Arabia. Iranian missile and drone strikes, launched in response to US-Israeli attacks, have disrupted oil markets and put key infrastructure at risk. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy supplies, has been severely impacted, affecting exports from Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.While Trump has alternated between hinting at a possible de-escalation and hinting at further progress, he recently claimed in his Truth Social post that there had been “productive conversations regarding a complete and comprehensive resolution of our hostilities.”According to The New York Times, Prince Mohammed has argued in favor of stronger action, including targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure, and has also suggested the possibility of ground action to weaken the government in Tehran. Analysts also warn that Saudi Arabia faces a complex dilemma. While it may see strategic benefits in weakening Iran, it is also vulnerable to regional instability. Previous attacks, including a 2019 strike on Saudi oil facilities, have shown the kingdom’s vulnerability to Iranian retaliation.If the conflict continues, Saudi Arabia’s macroeconomic ambitions, particularly its Vision 2030 plan, could also be at risk. A prolonged war could deter investment, disrupt energy exports and strain financial resources, at a time when the country is undertaking major economic reforms.