RIYADH August 2, 2026 – Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman held a phone call with US President Donald Trump on Saturday, stressing that “now is the time for dialogue and de-escalation” amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.
According to an official statement from the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the two leaders discussed the latest regional developments and their implications at both the regional and international levels.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman emphasized the necessity of prioritizing dialogue to reduce tensions. He underscored the importance of making every possible effort to achieve calm that opens the path to diplomatic solutions. These solutions, he said, should deliver positive outcomes that preserve the security and stability of the region and prevent a wider conflict whose consequences would affect both regional and international security and stability.
The leaders also reviewed existing areas of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the United States and ways to strengthen them further.
The call comes against the backdrop of an ongoing multi-month conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Recent reports indicate that the Trump administration has been weighing potential large-scale military strikes on Iran. Saudi officials have expressed concern that further escalation could trigger retaliatory attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure.
Saudi Arabia itself participated earlier this week in joint US-Saudi strikes against Iranian-backed militia sites in Iraq after attacks targeted Saudi interests. Despite those defensive actions, Riyadh has consistently pushed for a return to negotiations.
The SPA statement marks the kingdom’s public confirmation of its preference for diplomacy at a sensitive moment, as several regional and international actors continue efforts to prevent a broader confrontation.
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