Arab Allies Urge Restraint as Trump Presses Iran Talks

Middle Eastern allies of the United States are urging Washington and Tehran to exercise restraint as President Donald Trump warns of possible military action while increasing US force deployments in the region, according to an Arab diplomat familiar with the discussions.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Oman, and Qatar have contacted officials in both the United States and Iran, cautioning that any confrontation could seriously destabilise the region and disrupt global energy markets. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks.

Regional Arab and Muslim governments fear that a US strike on Iran would likely trigger retaliation, potentially targeting neighbouring countries or US interests and causing widespread collateral damage.

Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman said on Friday that he met senior US officials in Washington to discuss efforts aimed at maintaining regional and global stability.

The calls for caution come as Trump has shifted his public justification for possible military action—from criticising Iran’s violent suppression of nationwide protests to emphasising the need to prevent Tehran from advancing its nuclear programme. This shift comes despite Trump’s repeated claims that US strikes in June had already destroyed Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Trump Signals Interest in a Deal

Trump said on Friday that he hopes to reach an agreement with Iran but warned that serious consequences would follow if negotiations fail. Asked whether he had set a deadline, he replied that only Iran would know, confirming that warnings had been directly conveyed to Iranian officials.

According to senior administration officials, Trump’s renewed focus on Iran’s nuclear ambitions reflects a broader strategy rather than a policy change. One official said Trump initially highlighted the protests to encourage demonstrators and to warn Tehran against further repression.

Despite acknowledging that executions and killings have continued, the administration views Iran’s nuclear programme as the central threat, particularly from Israel’s perspective. Officials said Trump wants to underscore that eliminating this risk remains his ultimate objective.

Trump later said he hopes Iran will return quickly to negotiations for a “fair and equitable deal” that ensures it never develops nuclear weapons, warning that time is running out.

Another senior official said Trump continues to keep all military options on the table, although the White House has not confirmed whether it believes Iran is rebuilding its nuclear capabilities.

Iran Open to Talks, Prepared for War

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said during talks with Turkish officials that Iran is open to dialogue but that no formal negotiations with the United States are currently planned. He added that while Iran is prepared to negotiate, it is also ready for conflict.

Turkey has sought to ease tensions, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offering to mediate between Tehran and Washington during a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Earlier this month, Trump halted plans for military strikes after publicly urging Iranians to continue protesting and saying international support was forthcoming. He later said Iran had assured him it would not carry out mass executions of demonstrators.

Protests that began in late December over economic conditions have since evolved into a broader challenge to Iran’s leadership. Activist groups claim thousands have been killed in the government crackdown.

Trump has repeatedly highlighted the buildup of US military forces in the region, including the deployment of an aircraft carrier and several guided-missile destroyers, adding thousands of US personnel to the Middle East.

US Central Command has warned Iran against endangering freedom of navigation during upcoming live-fire drills in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for about 20 percent of the world’s oil supply.

The Arab diplomat said regional governments are urging the United States to act with extreme caution, while Iran is being advised that any response to a potential strike should avoid harming neighbouring countries.

Ideally, the diplomat said, the standoff would result in heightened tension only—but warned the situation remains volatile and unpredictable, with the decision ultimately resting with Trump.