As Iran conflict enters 6th month, Saudi and Israeli leaders try to shape Trump's decisions
The U.S.-led conflict in Iran has entered its sixth month, prompting intense diplomatic maneuvering between the Trump administration, Israel, and Saudi Arabia. Leaders are debating strategies ranging from economic blockades to targeted military strikes as the conflict remains unresolved.
Why it matters
The ongoing conflict involves significant U.S. military presence and complex geopolitical alliances, with potential for major escalation in the Middle East.
President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu estimated the intense part of the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran would last four to six weeks. It is now entering the sixth month without a decisive military victory or a diplomatic breakthrough. Now, as Mr. Trump weighs his next steps and the future of roughly 50,000 U.S. troops across the Middle East, two of Washington's closest regional partners are pressing the president with sharply different visions for how the conflict should proceed. The president received input Wednesday from his partner in this war, Netanyahu, as well as from Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman.During his Tuesday Oval Office meeting with Netanyahu, Israeli officials were struck by Mr. Trump's serious and "very clinical" approach to the Iran war.
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