Saudi Defense Minister Warns Iran On Nuclear Deal, Risks Israeli War

Saudi Arabia's Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman delivered a rare, high-level warning to Iranian officials during a secret April meeting in Tehran, urging them to take President Donald Trump's offer for nuclear negotiations seriously to avoid the risk of an Israeli military strike. The meeting, which included Iran's top leadership, emphasized that Trump's patience for prolonged talks was limited and that a swift agreement was necessary to prevent further destabilization in an already volatile region. Prince Khalid assured that Saudi territory would not be used to launch attacks on Iran, signaling a cautious but pragmatic approach to reducing conflict risks. Iranian officials expressed interest in a deal to ease crippling sanctions but remained wary of Trump's changing demands, particularly concerning uranium enrichment. Meanwhile, Gulf leaders, including those from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, have collectively urged the US against military action, warning it could provoke Iranian retaliation and worsen regional instability. This diplomatic outreach reflects a shared regional priority to maintain peace amid ongoing tensions following recent conflicts involving Israel and Hamas.