Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman (KBS) told US officials that failing to follow through on threats against Iran would embolden the regime, signaling a shift from Saudi Arabia’s previous cautious stance.

Axar.az, citing Axios, reports that speaking privately in Washington, KBS suggested that while a US strike carries risks of regional escalation, inaction could strengthen Iran.

"At this point, if this doesn't happen, it will only embolden the regime."

His comments came amid Trump’s military buildup in the Gulf, with no clear US-Iran negotiations underway and Tehran reportedly uninterested in US terms. Publicly, Saudi Arabia maintains a diplomatic posture, refusing the US use of its airspace and emphasizing Iran’s sovereignty, but privately, KBS expressed concern about the consequences of perceived US weakness.