Why Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Talked Trump Out of Striking Iran

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman persuaded US President Donald Trump to abandon a large-scale strike on Iran. Riyadh, facing attacks from Iranian missiles and drones, is leaning toward forming the 'STEP' alliance with Turkey, Egypt, and Pakistan. The author of a New York Post article urges Saudi Arabia to take a more active role in the fight against Iran.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, during a phone call, persuaded US President Donald Trump to abandon large-scale strikes on Iran. This is reported in a New York Post article by Eli Leon. The White House chief heeded the request and canceled a massive bombing that could have drastically changed the course of the confrontation. Riyadh is in a difficult situation: the Iranian regime regularly attacks the kingdom with missiles and drones, threatening its water and oil resources. Despite support from American troops and Greek air defense systems, the Saudi leadership is leaning toward forming a new 'STEP' alliance with Turkey, Egypt, and Pakistan. These countries, formally allies of Washington, seek to weaken the Shiite regime in Iran to revive Sunni hegemony, but they fear escalation and advocate diplomacy. The author notes Iran's lack of interest in diplomacy and urges Saudi Arabia to take a more active stance by joining the fight. Last month, the kingdom struck pro-Iranian forces in Iraq and is preparing for action against the Houthis in Yemen. The author believes Washington should demand direct participation from Riyadh, as Israel has done.