US President Donald Trump has claimed that Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), was effectively “kissing my a**”, while describing the current dynamics between Washington and Riyadh.

Speaking at the Future Investment Initiative conference in Florida, Trump recounted what he described as a conversation with the Saudi leader about the US resurgence under his presidency, saying MBS did not expect a strong US comeback.

“He didn’t think this was going to happen… he didn’t think he’d be kissing my a**… he thought it’d be just another American president that was a loser… but now he has to be nice to me,” Trump said, as reported by The Wire.

Despite the remark, Trump also praised the crown prince, calling him “a fantastic man” and “a warrior”, and said Saudi Arabia “can be very proud” of his leadership.

Trump’s comments come amid the ongoing US-Israel military campaign against Iran, which has significantly reshaped regional dynamics.

According to a recent New York Times report, MBS has been actively engaging with Trump in private conversations, urging him to continue the war and describing it as a “historic opportunity” to weaken Iran’s government. The report, citing people briefed on the discussions, said the Saudi leader has pushed for more aggressive steps, including targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure.

However, Saudi Arabia has publicly denied advocating for prolonging the war, maintaining that it supports a “peaceful resolution” while prioritising defence against Iranian attacks.
The conflict began on February 28 after the US and Israel launched joint strikes at Iran. In retaliation, Iran attacked Israel and also targeted US bases in the Gulf. The crisis has thrown Middle East into chaos and disrupted the oil markets.

Even as Trump mocked MBS in public, his broader remarks suggested strong alignment with Gulf allies. He claimed that Saudi Arabia, along with countries like Qatar and the UAE, had stood firmly with the US during the conflict — more so than NATO allies.

At the same time, analysts and officials have repeatedly warned of underlying tensions. A prolonged war could expose Saudi Arabia to sustained Iranian retaliation, especially targeting oil infrastructure, while also risking economic instability.

STRATEGIC TIES UNDER STRAIN

The current phase of US-Saudi relations reflects a complex mix of cooperation and friction. Even as Trump publicly mocked Mohammed bin Salman, his own remarks and past positions reflect a willingness to back the Saudi leadership when it aligns with Washington’s regional goals.

That tension is visible in the ongoing Iran conflict. While Trump has portrayed Gulf countries as firmly in the US camp, Saudi Arabia’s position seems to be more calibrated—privately engaging on war strategy while publicly calling for de-escalation and focusing on its own security risks.

Furthermore, while Trump has highlighted economic ties and urged Saudi Arabia to deepen diplomatic engagement with Israel through the Abraham Accords, the war with Iran has introduced new uncertainties.