The recent events, particularly Israel’s direct attack on Iranian soil and the US bombing of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure – met with a firm and comprehensive response by Iran’s armed forces – demonstrated that West Asia’s security structure has entered an unstable and turbulent phase. Saudi Arabia, which has adopted a more cautious foreign policy over the past decade, now fully recognizes the danger of the region turning into another battlefield – a war that could draw in the Kingdom itself along with other Persian Gulf emirates. As a result, Riyadh has begun active consultations with key players.

Khalid bin Salman’s Meeting with Trump: A Message or a Warning?

Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman’s meeting with former US President Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday, amid growing concerns over the consequences of the joint Israeli-US attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, carried a clear message of Saudi dissatisfaction with military solutions. Sources close to the meeting emphasized that bin Salman stressed “avoiding escalation” and the “need to return to dialogue.” This clearly shows that Saudi Arabia no longer has any interest in adventurous policies. Given the extensive economic ties between Washington and Riyadh – which hold special importance for Trump – this Saudi approach could act as a deterrent against Washington’s continuation of tension-driven policies in the region.

An Unprecedented Alignment with Russia

In a rare meeting, the foreign ministers of Russia and Saudi Arabia also voiced support for a ceasefire between Iran and Israel and underlined the necessity of maintaining peace. During his meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned against returning to instability and reminded Europe of its responsibilities regarding the JCPOA and the IAEA. This coordinated stance reflects the emergence of a new deterrent axis against US and Israeli escalation – one in which Saudi Arabia is striving to play a leading role.

A Changing Security Geometry

Saudi Arabia’s recent consultations with both the US and Russia indicate a gradual shift in the region’s security architecture – a shift that could transform the logic of confrontation into one of balance. Riyadh aims, on the one hand, to prevent the expansion of the crisis and, on the other, to establish itself as a credible mediator between Iran and the West.

Diplomacy or a Return to Confrontation?

There is no doubt that if military aggression continues and diplomatic solutions are weakened, the region will once again approach the brink of full-scale conflict. However, Saudi efforts to maintain the ceasefire and bring the US back to negotiations signal an unprecedented opportunity to restore stability. In his recent visit to the Persian Gulf, Trump signed deals worth $3.2 trillion, demonstrating that his top priority in West Asia is to leverage economic capacities. This ideal cannot be realized without lasting security. The recent weeks’ events, which have dramatically fueled war and conflict in the region, will certainly not achieve Trump’s economic goals. Thus, he now faces a critical crossroads: on one side lie the endless demands of the Zionist regime and Netanyahu’s personal ambitions; on the other side are lucrative economic agreements with Persian Gulf states, which require stability to materialize.

As America’s strategic partner in the region and a country that consistently prioritizes rapid development, Saudi Arabia can now play a decisive role in balancing Washington’s policies, which have become overly influenced by Tel Aviv’s destabilizing approaches. Riyadh’s efforts could prevent the spread of tensions and conflicts that benefit no one – except Netanyahu.