The War With Iran Shakes US-Saudi Relations, Trump and bin Salman Amid New Tensions

Developments in the war with Iran appear to have strongly shaken the geopolitical balance in the Middle East, while at the same time bringing new clashes to the surface between two traditional partners, the United States and Saudi Arabia.

According to American media, including The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, the disagreements erupted after Iran imposed a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. In response to this move, US President Donald Trump ordered the launch of “Project Liberty,” aimed at reopening this strategic corridor, but without first consulting Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia’s opposition to the use of its military bases for this operation forced the Pentagon to review its plans. According to the reports, Washington also issued a warning that supplies of anti-aircraft munitions, essential for Saudi defense against Iranian missiles, could be suspended.

Following this situation, there were intensive telephone communications between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the highest-ranking figures in the US administration, including Donald Trump, JD Vance, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner. Sources say these talks took place in an atmosphere charged with tension.

Reports emphasize that bin Salman has spoken out against an escalation of the conflict and has preferred that negotiations with Tehran continue. He also did not take part in the G7 summit, while Saudi officials said he had other commitments.

According to the same reports, Saudi Arabia initially supported weakening Iran’s military capabilities, but later changed course, giving priority to a diplomatic path. During this process, Riyadh also cooperated with Chinese diplomacy to keep channels of dialogue with Iran open.

The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important oil transport arteries in the world, has increased concern for the global economy and strengthened the Saudi leadership’s conviction that communication with Tehran is essential for regional stability.

At the same time, the war has also exposed weaknesses in the defense architecture in the Persian Gulf. Some American bases have been considered vulnerable to missile and drone attacks, while Washington is considering the possibility of relocating part of its military capabilities to Israel.

At the same time, the Gulf states are facing shortages of munitions for air defense systems and have increased purchases of military technology, including Israeli systems, although political reservations toward Israel remain because of the war in Gaza.

Analysts assess that this development has created a new strategic reality in the Middle East, where Arab countries seek to preserve their alliance with the United States while at the same time keeping lines of communication with Iran open. Meanwhile, the unpredictability of US policy and Iranian control over Hormuz continue to remain key factors for the security and stability of the region.