Saudi Arabia has denied allegations that its Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, secretly lobbied former U.S. President Donald Trump to launch a military attack on Iran.
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Responding to a report by the Washington Post, Fahad Nazer, spokesperson for the Saudi Embassy in Washington, said the claims were false and misrepresented the kingdom’s position.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been consistent in supporting diplomatic efforts to reach a credible deal with Iran,” Mr Nazer said in a post on X on Monday.
He stressed that Saudi authorities never urged the Trump administration to carry out military strikes against Iran.
“At no point in all our communication with the Trump Administration did we lobby the President to adopt a different policy,” Mr Nazer added.
The Washington Post had reported on Sunday, citing four people familiar with the matter, that Mr Trump ordered an attack on Iran following months of alleged secret lobbying by Saudi Arabia and Israel.
According to the report, a joint operation by U.S. and Israeli forces killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with other senior officials of his government.
The development reportedly triggered retaliatory strikes by Iran targeting U.S. military bases in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states.
Amid the escalating tensions, Saudi oil giant Saudi Aramco on Monday announced the shutdown of operations at its Ras Tanura refinery following what it described as a drone strike during Iran’s retaliatory attacks across the Gulf.
