Saudi crown prince urges Trump not to escalate Iran war as US leader weighs new strikes: AP source
Aug 1, 2026, 6:40 PM | Updated: 7:10 pm
President Donald Trump, center, walks from Air Force One at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, N.J., Friday, July 31, 2026, from Camp David, the presidential retreat. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Credit: AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom’s de facto leader, in a phone call with President Donald Trump on Saturday raised concerns about the U.S. potentially escalating the conflict with Iran, according to a person familiar with the leaders’ discussion.
The discussion, which was first reported on by Axios, comes as Trump weighs whether to carry out new strikes on Iran.
The Saudis, according to the person briefed on the substance of the call but not authorized to comment publicly, are concerned that if the U.S. targets Iran’s energy infrastructure or carries out massive strikes on other key infrastructure that Tehran could respond by carrying out attacks on the kingdom’s and other Gulf countries’ energy infrastructure.
The crown prince during Saturday’s call sought clarity from Trump on what potential new action he’s weighing to take against Iran, the person said.
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment about Saturday’s call.
