Saudi Arabia’s crown prince has called on Donald Trump to station ground forces in Iran, viewing the conflict as a key chance for a regime overhaul.

In a series of conversations over the past week, Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) pressed Trump to maintain military pressure on Iran, arguing that leaving the mission incomplete would be a mistake, insiders revealed to the New York Times.

This push from Saudi Arabia coincides with Trump’s announcement of a brief pause in U.S. attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure, as Washington explores indirect negotiations with Tehran, hinting at a possible de-escalation.

According to officials, MBS contended that Iran’s government poses a persistent threat to regional stability unless it is entirely dismantled.

The Saudi leader urged Trump to deploy troops to seize control of Iran’s energy resources and dismantle the current regime, the sources disclosed.

However, Trump voiced concerns that further military actions might drive oil prices even higher, noting the national average gas price had surged to $4.00 per gallon on Monday, up from $2.90 since the conflict began on February 28.

MBS’s private views contrast with Saudi’s public statements that highlight the kingdom’s desire for a diplomatic end to the war, which has led to retaliatory strikes on its energy sites and strangled its oil exports.

‘The kingdom of Saudi Arabia has always supported a peaceful resolution to this conflict,’ a Saudi spokesman said in a statement, adding its officials ‘remain in close contact with the Trump administration and our commitment remains unchanged.’   

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reportedly urged Trump to send ground troops into Iran

The Prince has advocated for regime change in Iran, noting how if the current government stays in place it will continue to destabilize the Gulf region

Iran has targeted Saudi Arabia with missiles and drones since the US and Israel first struck the Islamic Republic on February 28

‘Our primary concern today is to defend ourselves from the daily attacks on our people and our civilian infrastructure,’ the spokesman added.

‘Iran has chosen dangerous brinkmanship over serious diplomatic solutions. This harms every stakeholder involved but none more than Iran itself.’ 

The Daily Mail has contacted the White House for comment. 

Senior Saudi and American officials fear Iran could further punish Riyadh’s oil facilities with strikes and drag the US into ‘an endless war’ if the fighting continues, according to the Times. 

While the kingdom maintains a stockpile of Patriot missile interceptors to defend against Iranian drone and missile strikes, several bombardments have seeped through the Saudi air defenses. 

Saudi oil fields, refineries and cities have all been hit with Iranian weapons. So too has the US embassy in Riyadh, prompting the US to evacuate the mission. 

But Trump signaled on Monday that the war could be nearing a conclusion, noting that negotiations had begun with Iran, including ‘productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities.’

Iran denied that talks were taking place.

An Iranian official told Fars News Agency, which is aligned with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, there is ‘no direct or indirect contact with Trump.’ 

If those talks go sideways and Iran doesn’t cooperate, Trump said US forces will keep ‘bombing our little hearts out.’

Striking video shows the moment Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh was targeted by missiles

Thousands of US Marines have been deployed to the Middle East in recent weeks, with at least two units totaling over 4,500 personnel ordered to head towards Iran. 

Around 2,500 Marines aboard three ships were deployed to the Middle East late last week, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

A week earlier, the USS Tripoli, carrying over 2,000 Marines, was ordered to leave the Pacific and head to the region. 

Senior military officials are also considering a possible deployment of a combat brigade from the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division to support military inside in Iran.

That would provide the military with 3,000 soldiers for a possible invasion of Kharg Island – where 90 percent of Iran’s oil exports are processed. 

Oil prices rose on Tuesday, with Brent crude – the global benchmark – hitting $104 per barrel as optimism about an early resolution to the conflict faded.