The President of the United States has negotiated for a long time for Iran to abandon its dangerous nuclear program
Iran's regional position has been weakened on several fronts: the loss of key allies such as Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria, Israeli military strikes against Hezbollah and Hamas, and the deterioration of its economy due to sanctions.
This fragility has allowed Saudi Arabia to take a more active role in the diplomatic containment of the conflict. According to experts, the Saudi kingdom wants to avoid a war that could negatively affect its economic development plans.
President Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday that he had asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to attack Iranian nuclear facilities the previous week, noting that negotiations between Washington and Tehran were progressing positively.
"We're very close to a solution," Trump stated, who emphasized his desire to reach a strong agreement that would prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons without resorting to violence.
Since his return to power in January, Trump has strictly enforced sanctions against Iran, especially those related to oil exports, and has reopened direct negotiation channels with the Iranian regime.
These talks have aimed to restrict Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for economic relief. Vice President JD Vance also expressed optimism about the possibility of allowing Iran to develop a civilian nuclear program under strict international supervision, while preventing it from acquiring weapons capability.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has intervened diplomatically to prevent a conflict in the region. In April, Saudi Defense Minister, Prince Khalid bin Salman, delivered a message from King Salman to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, in Tehran.
During that meeting, which was attended by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, Prince Khalid warned that Trump has little patience for prolonged negotiations and that failure could lead to an Israeli attack.
The prince insisted that the region could not afford a new escalation, given the already tense situation caused by conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. This visit represented a milestone, being the first by a senior member of the Saudi royal family to Iran in more than two decades, and reflected Riyadh's new diplomatic approach following the restoration of relations with Tehran brokered by China in 2023.
During the meeting in Tehran, Iranian authorities expressed interest in reaching an agreement to ease economic pressure, but also voiced reservations about the unpredictability of the Trump administration, especially regarding its demand for the total dismantling of the uranium enrichment program.
Even so, it was mentioned that Iran could temporarily pause enrichment if the United States unblocks frozen Iranian funds and recognizes its right to the civilian use of nuclear energy. However, both Iran and the United States have officially denied this possible compromise.
Meanwhile, Trump continues to pressure Netanyahu not to interfere in the negotiations with military actions. The president emphasized that an agreement would be stronger than the one signed under Barack Obama in 2015 (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA), and would include the right of inspection and preventive measures without the need for lethal violence.
Finally, Trump reaffirmed that his administration is considering two options: a negotiated solution beneficial for Iran and its people, or a severe response if Tehran persists in its nuclear ambition.
The option of allowing Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon, he warned, is completely ruled out. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, has made it clear that it will not allow its territory to be used for military operations against Iran, seeking to maintain regional stability.
