WASHINGTON: Saudi Arabia has urged the United States to pursue de-escalation in the ongoing conflict with Iran, warning that a prolonged war could have serious consequences for regional stability.

On Wednesday morning, Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman made an unannounced visit to the White House, where he delivered a message from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

According to sources familiar with the discussions, the Saudi leadership stressed that extending the conflict with Iran would carry significant risks and called for efforts to reduce tensions across the region.

Just a day earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met President Trump in the Oval Office and reportedly expressed skepticism that diplomacy with Iran would succeed.

Israeli officials said Netanyahu instead discussed options for increasing pressure on Tehran, including the possibility of renewing a full-scale military campaign if diplomatic efforts fail.

Although the two high-level meetings were scheduled independently, they highlighted the contrasting approaches of two key US allies as Washington searches for a path out of the conflict.

The war, which has continued well beyond President Trump’s original timeline, has expanded in recent weeks, with new fronts emerging and more countries across the Middle East becoming involved.

A senior US official said there is currently little indication that direct diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran will resume in the near future.

Despite President Trump’s repeated claims that Iran is “begging” for a peace agreement, some US officials believe Iranian leaders remain determined to maintain pressure through the Strait of Hormuz and continue missile threats against American forces stationed in the region.