Trump Appoints Saudi Crown Prince as Mediator Between Iran and US
According to a report by Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to lead mediation efforts between Iran and the United States.
The report, citing Western sources, states that bin Salman has been tasked with steering potential negotiations with Iran and seeking a resolution to the longstanding disputes between Tehran and Washington. He is said to have discussed the matter directly with President Trump, emphasizing that such an agreement is vital for Middle East stability.
The same sources report that bin Salman expressed concern over potential interference from the cabinet of Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, warning that Israel could obstruct any deal and escalate tensions.
Following bin Salman’s meeting with U.S. officials at the White House, contacts were reportedly initiated with Iranian officials, and a high-level meeting in Paris has been agreed upon, scheduled to take place within the next 24 hours.
Al-Akhbar claims that during a prior visit to Riyadh, bin Salman met with Ali Larijani, the head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, to gauge Tehran’s stance on the Saudi initiative. Larijani reportedly responded positively but cautioned that Iran would not yield to pressures from the United States and Israel, especially in the wake of last summer’s attacks.
The Saudi Crown Prince has also reportedly discussed with U.S. officials the importance of reaching an agreement with Iran as a pathway to ending the war in Yemen. However, some members of the U.S. team allegedly expressed opposition to the efforts, particularly those with close ties to Israel.
Sources say this marks the first time Saudi Arabia has voiced its concerns directly to U.S. officials about Israel’s potential actions to derail peace opportunities in the region. Riyadh reportedly believes that lasting stability in the Middle East is unattainable without an understanding with Iran.
