Gulf Allies Push Trump to Crush Iran Completely

Saudi Arabia and UAE press Trump to intensify war on Iran, claiming current strikes fail to weaken Tehran enough. Despite calls for escalation, Gulf states reject total Iranian collapse, prioritizing regional stability.

Gulf states, led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, are privately urging then-US President Donald Trump to continue and intensify military operations against Iran. According to sources from the U.S., Gulf, and Israeli officials, these states believe that Iran has not been sufficiently weakened by the ongoing bombing campaigns. They advocate for a decisive military defeat of Tehran to shift the regional power balance.

The context of this pressure lies in the existing tensions and proxy conflicts in the Gulf region, where Iran's influence threatens the interests of Gulf monarchies and their Western allies. Since the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and the ramping up of sanctions, hostilities have escalated, with the Gulf states seeking stronger measures to counter Tehran's regional ambitions.

Strategically, the Gulf allies see a prolonged and intensified conflict as a means to diminish Iran's military and nuclear capabilities. However, while pressing for extended combat operations, none of these states intend to risk the outright collapse of the Iranian regime, fearing regional destabilization and a possible power vacuum.

Militarily, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have ramped up intelligence cooperation with the U.S. and Israel for targeting Iran-linked proxies and infrastructure. The bombing campaigns utilize precision-guided munitions and advanced drones, yet Tehran has demonstrated resilience with asymmetric warfare tactics and missile capabilities that challenge coalition efforts.

Looking ahead, continued Gulf pressure on the U.S. could prolong regional hostilities and escalate proxy conflicts across Yemen, Iraq, and Syria. The risk remains that intensified strikes might provoke sharper Iranian retaliation, worsening instability in the Middle East and complicating global oil markets.