Escalating tensions in the Middle East, a region on the brink, as the United States and Iran stand face-to-face.
US has anchored a destroyer in Israel’s Eilat port, a clear message to Tehran and a move to safeguard its ally. Meanwhile, a massive US naval fleet reportedly larger than the one sent to Venezuela, is making its way towards Iran.
This comes directly from President Donald Trump, who also claims Tehran is ready for a deal on its nuclear program. He’s urged prompt negotiations but also issued a stern reminder of the approaching naval might.
Trump, however, remained tight-lipped about military plans if Iran refuses a deal. He stated, “I don’t want to talk about what we’re doing militarily. We have a very powerful fleet there. We have the most powerful ships in the world. Our military is the most powerful in the world.”
On the Iranian side, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi reiterated their readiness to discuss the nuclear issue, but not under threat. This was stated during a joint briefing with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
In response to the US threats, Iran is taking steps to secure its nuclear facilities. Satellite images reveal new roofs constructed at the Natanz and Isfahan nuclear centers, damaged by previous attacks attributed to Israel and the US. This move aims to evade satellite surveillance and continue operations discreetly.
The US has also deployed an additional 5,700 troops to the Middle East, bringing the total number of US forces in the region to approximately half a million.
A critical question arises: Has Saudi Arabia given the US a green light for an attack on Iran? According to the US news website Axios, the Saudi Defense Minister, in a confidential meeting, advocated for a US operation in Iran. He reportedly argued that if no action is taken despite continuous threats, the current Iranian regime will only grow stronger.
However, this stance appears to be at odds with Saudi Arabia’s public position. Riyadh has repeatedly opposed an attack on Iran, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman calling for a diplomatic solution and respecting Iran’s sovereignty. He even declared that Saudi airspace would not be used for such an attack.
Amidst this regional tension, Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman, brother of the Crown Prince, visited the US. Axios reports that during meetings with top US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hexes, he reportedly supported a US operation against Iran. His argument: inaction after so many threats would only empower the Khamenei government.
This report raises questions about Saudi Arabia’s dual approach. Axios, citing at least four people present at the meeting, claims that while advocating for an attack, Khalid bin Salman also cautioned against the conflict spreading across the Middle East. This could be interpreted as a message to the US, emphasizing their firm stance.
The Saudi Defense Minister also held separate meetings with 15 Middle East experts and five Jewish organizations. Axios states that during these meetings, he conveyed that Riyadh is moving away from Israel and rejected claims of growing anti-Israel sentiment in Saudi media and social media.
Read more: Iran-US: Tehran warns of full force response
The situation remains fluid and volatile. We’ll continue to bring you the latest developments on this critical unfolding story.
