Saudi Arabia's de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is aggressively lobbying President Trump to intensify the ongoing conflict with Iran, framing it as a 'historic opportunity' to reshape the Middle East. According to U.S. officials briefed on the conversations, Prince Mohammed argues the U.S.-Israeli military campaign must press towards the destruction of Iran's hard-line government to eliminate a long-term threat to Gulf stability. This push comes despite Saudi Arabia publicly rejecting any desire to prolong the war, emphasizing its commitment to a peaceful resolution.

However, analysts warn that a prolonged conflict risks escalating attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure, potentially disrupting global energy markets further. Kharg Island, a critical Iranian oil hub, is reportedly being seriously considered for a U.S. military operation to seize energy infrastructure and force regime change, a move Prince Mohammed has advocated for. Senior U.S. and Saudi officials fear Iran could deliver increasingly damaging strikes on Saudi oil facilities if the war drags on, leaving the U.S. potentially mired in an endless conflict. The economic consequences for Saudi Arabia are immense, as retaliatory Iranian drone and missile attacks have already choked the vital Strait of Hormuz, the chokepoint for most Gulf oil exports.

While Saudi Arabia has built pipelines to bypass the strait, these alternative routes have also come under attack. The kingdom's massive Patriot interceptor stockpile is being heavily tested to protect its oil fields and cities, but global shortages of such systems are a growing concern. The situation highlights the immense stakes for Gulf security and global energy markets, with the outcome of Prince Mohammed's push potentially determining the region's stability and oil flows for years to come.