In April 2025, Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister, Prince Khalid bin Salman, delivered a confidential message to Iran’s leadership, emphasizing the urgency of engaging in nuclear negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump to prevent the risk of an Israeli military strike.  This message, backed by King Salman, was conveyed during a meeting in Tehran with top Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Prince Khalid, who previously served as Saudi ambassador to Washington during Trump’s first term, warned Iranian officials that the U.S. president has little patience for prolonged negotiations.  He stressed that the window for diplomacy would close quickly and that reaching a deal with the U.S. would be preferable to facing the possibility of an Israeli attack.

The Saudi minister highlighted the region’s volatility, citing recent conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, and argued that further escalation could have severe consequences.  He also reassured Tehran that Riyadh would not permit its territory or airspace to be used for any potential military action against Iran.

Iranian President Pezeshkian responded by expressing a desire to ease economic pressure through the lifting of Western sanctions but voiced concerns over the unpredictability of the Trump administration, particularly regarding uranium enrichment terms.  While Iran indicated a willingness to reach a deal, it was not prepared to dismantle its enrichment program solely based on U.S. demands.

The meeting marked the first visit by a senior member of the Saudi royal family to Iran in over two decades, signaling a shift in regional dynamics following the 2023 rapprochement between Riyadh and Tehran.  Saudi Arabia’s mediation efforts reflect its interest in avoiding regional conflict that could jeopardize its economic ambitions and stability.

The White House did not directly address questions about the Saudi warning but reiterated President Trump’s stance: “make a deal, or face grave consequences.”  Trump also mentioned that he had cautioned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against taking actions that could disrupt the nuclear talks with Iran, stating that the two sides were “very close to a solution now.”

As the U.S. and Iran continue negotiations, the involvement of regional players like Saudi Arabia underscores the high stakes and complex interplay of diplomacy and security concerns in the Middle East.

Source: Reuters