Saudi Arabia Warned Iran to Reach Nuclear Deal with Trump or Risk Israeli Strike – Sources

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — May 31, 2025

Saudi Arabia warned Iran last year that failure to strike a nuclear agreement with then-U.S. President Donald Trump could provoke Israeli military action, according to sources cited by Reuters. The warning sheds new light on Riyadh’s behind-the-scenes diplomacy and the mounting regional tensions over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Saudi Diplomatic Efforts: A Race Against Time

According to multiple sources familiar with the diplomatic exchanges, Saudi officials communicated to Iran in 2024 that the window for negotiating a new nuclear deal with the Trump administration was narrowing. The message was clear: should diplomatic efforts fall short, Israel might pursue a preemptive military strike on Iranian nuclear sites.

A senior Middle Eastern official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said, “The Saudis urged Tehran to engage seriously with Washington. They believed Israel was growing increasingly impatient and might act unilaterally to stop further nuclear advances.”

Regional Concerns Over Iran’s Nuclear Program

Tensions over Iran’s nuclear program have escalated since the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018 during Trump’s presidency. Since then, Iran has steadily expanded its uranium enrichment capabilities, raising alarms in Israel and among Sunni Arab states.

Riyadh’s warning reflected broader anxieties in the Gulf region, where Iran’s missile capabilities and suspected efforts to develop nuclear weapons are seen as strategic threats. Saudi Arabia, a traditional U.S. ally, remains particularly concerned about potential nuclear escalation near its borders.

Israel’s Stance: Military Options on the Table

Israel has consistently maintained that it would not permit Iran to acquire nuclear weapons capability, reserving the right to use military force if diplomatic and economic pressure failed.

In early 2024, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated, “Israel will do whatever it takes to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran. The window for peaceful resolution is rapidly closing.”

A former U.S. official familiar with intelligence assessments told Reuters that Israeli military preparations and rhetoric intensified as diplomatic talks stalled, contributing to regional anxiety.

U.S.-Iran Diplomacy Under Trump and Beyond

The Trump administration made extensive efforts in 2024 to renegotiate a tougher nuclear deal after withdrawing from the JCPOA. However, talks repeatedly stalled over the scope of Iran’s nuclear activity, ballistic missile program, and regional interventions.

Despite indirect communication, Iranian negotiators doubted the U.S. willingness to lift sanctions without major concessions, while Washington expressed skepticism about Iran’s commitment to peaceful nuclear development.

The Biden administration, which resumed office in January 2025, continues to seek a diplomatic pathway to contain Iran’s program, but progress remains limited amid mutual mistrust and hardline political pressures in both countries.

Saudi’s Strategic Fears: Avoiding Regional Conflict

Saudi Arabia has historically played a balancing role in regional diplomacy, seeking to avoid a full-scale confrontation that could destabilize Gulf economies and security. The warning to Iran was intended to prevent miscalculation that could lead to catastrophic escalation.

Karim Sadjadpour, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, commented: “[The Saudis] don’t want a nuclear-armed Iran—nor do they want another devastating war in the Middle East. Their message conveyed the urgency and gravity of the situation.”

Context: Shifting Alliances and Regional Dynamics

The Gulf region’s security architecture has been in flux, with new rapprochements—such as the 2023 China-brokered Saudi-Iran diplomatic normalization—but underlying strategic tensions persist.

U.S. security guarantees remain central to Saudi calculations but have been tested by Washington's evolving Middle East priorities. Meanwhile, Israel's covert operations and public warnings have increased pressure on both Tehran and Riyadh.

Implications for Regional Security and Diplomacy

The Saudi warning highlights the precarious balance in the Middle East, where missteps can quickly escalate into open conflict. With Iran’s nuclear trajectory remaining uncertain, the next phase of regional diplomacy will likely focus on reestablishing deterrence while exploring openings for broad-based negotiations.

Some analysts suggest that shared fears of uncontrolled escalation could push Gulf states, Israel, and Iran toward new regional security dialogues, though mistrust remains a formidable hurdle.

Conclusion

Saudi Arabia’s behind-the-scenes message to Iran reflects the high stakes and complexities of Middle East security in the nuclear era. As diplomatic channels remain fitful and military options loom, the role of regional actors in shaping outcomes has never been more critical.