Saudi‑US ties strained by Washington’s Iran war handling

Riyadh is growing disappointed with Washington’s handling of the Iran war, according to the Financial Times. Tensions stem from US threats to target Iranian energy infrastructure, suggestions that Gulf states fund the conflict, and the risk of a US withdrawal without an agreement. Riyadh is concerned that such a move could leave the GCC responsible for reopening the Strait of Hormuz while facing a more hostile Iran, with attacks on regional energy and desalination infrastructure carrying potentially devastating consequences.

It’s gone on long enough: As Iran repeatedly struck key Gulf sites — data centers, airports, airbases, and gas fields — the Strait of Hormuz’s closure and its choking of supply chains persisted, and Houthi involvement emerged. Riyadh has been pushing to end this conflict to safeguard its economic plans and critical infrastructure. Trump’s recent threats and demands, however, run counter to that goal.