Saudi Defence Minister Warns Trump: Inaction on Iran Will 'Embolden Regime'

• Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman warned President Trump that not taking military action against Iran would strengthen the regime, according to an Axios report.
• Prince Khalid argued in a private Washington briefing that failure to follow through on threats would embolden, not deter, Tehran.
• His remarks contrasted with Saudi Arabia's public stance, which has emphasized de-escalation and respect for Iran's sovereignty.
• The Saudi minister had earlier met with top US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, to discuss potential military action.
• Despite a US military build-up in the Gulf, Washington's plans remain uncertain, and no direct negotiations are currently underway with Iran.

Why It Matters: Saudi Defence Minister warns that US inaction against Iran risks emboldening the regime, despite public calls for de-escalation.