Saudi Arabia warns US: We are ready to strike Iran directly

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA — Saudi Arabia has officially informed the United States that it is fully prepared to launch direct military strikes against Iran if its energy and water facilities are targeted in any retaliatory attacks.

As the dynamics behind US President Donald Trump's decision to delay a potential military operation against Iran's energy infrastructure by five days become clearer, this stern security message from Gulf nations highlights the dangerously escalating risk of a broader regional war.

Gulf nations deliver a "direct strike" message

Gulf countries, which have taken great care to remain outside the military escalation since the beginning of the conflict, have shifted their stance following weeks of bombardments. According to a Bloomberg report based on senior sources, the Saudi administration explicitly told Washington that it would not hesitate to launch a direct counter-attack on Iran if its own electricity and water desalination plants are hit in a cycle of retaliation.

A similar defensive posture is shared by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The report emphasized that the UAE has clearly stated it will defend itself against Iranian aggression, and that Tehran's regional actions have pushed the UAE even closer to the alliance between Israel and the US.

Market fears behind the delayed operation

The underlying reasons for Trump suddenly stepping back from his 48-hour ultimatum and delaying operations by five days have also come to light. According to comprehensive analyses, this decision was driven less by successful diplomacy and more by warnings from allies and the fear of a financial market collapse.

Regional allies warned the White House that causing permanent damage to Iran's infrastructure would inevitably turn the country into a "failed state" once the war ends, which would spell disaster for the entire Middle East. Additionally, the continuous climb in oil prices due to the war severely worried the US administration. Former Department of Defense official Dana Stroul noted that it was no coincidence Trump announced the five-day delay right before US markets opened on Monday morning. Following the decision, Brent crude experienced a sharp decline, and the S&P 500 index recovered.

Confirming the economic motivation behind the move, Trump stated:

"Oil prices will drop like a rock as soon as a deal is made."

Israel refuses to wait as Tehran is struck

Despite claims from the US side—including assertions by Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and advisor Steve Witkoff—that Iranian officials had agreed to abandon their nuclear program in negotiations, there are no signs on the ground that the war is halting.

While the Iranian Foreign Ministry strongly denied the "negotiation" claims, the most concrete and severe reaction to the delay came from Israel. Israeli officials emphasized that the five-day postponement does not mean the end of the war. Just one hour after Trump's delay announcement, the Israeli military continued its airstrikes targeting the heart of Iran's capital, Tehran, heavily overshadowing any expectations for a diplomatic resolution.

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