Trump’s lewd comments about Saudi Crown Prince anger Riyadh

In the context of escalating tensions in the Middle East centered on Iran, deep dissatisfaction has arisen within the top leadership of Saudi Arabia over the stance of former U.S. President Donald Trump; it is not just the military strategy, but also a controversial remark about Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that has further intensified the situation. Neil Quilliam, a fellow at the British research organization Chatham House and a Saudi expert, told in an interview that Riyadh’s confidence in the White House has now hit rock bottom, and Saudi Arabia is currently “extremely disappointed” with the United States. The report notes that threats to Iran’s critical infrastructure, particularly its power plants, indications that the cost of war could be imposed on Arab countries, and public jabs at the Saudi leadership have all caused concern in Riyadh. In particular, one indecent remark by Trump sparked a strong reaction among the Saudi leadership, which analysts say is diplomatically insulting and could create long-term trust issues. Neil Quilliam believes that this statement has not only embarrassed the Saudi leadership but also increased their uncertainty about the future policies and positions of the United States. Another comment by Trump has further heightened regional tensions, in which he said that those who benefit from the Strait of Hormuz must take responsibility for its security, a stance that analysts believe could complicate Middle Eastern security and create new risks. Meanwhile, Princeton University professor Bernard Haykel stated that initially, Saudi Arabia assumed that if Israel launched an attack on Iran and the United States participated, they would remain relatively safe; their expectation was that Iran’s missile capabilities would be weakened. However, the reality has taken a different turn. As Iran demonstrates its military capability through precise retaliatory strikes, Saudi Arabia is being forced to reconsider its strategy and security planning. The current situation signals a new level of uncertainty in Middle Eastern geopolitics, and the combination of U.S. policy positions, Iran’s responses, and Saudi Arabia’s strategic adjustments points to a complex equation whose impact could extend to the global energy market and international politics.