Saudi Arabia has urged the United States to limit any potential military action against Iran, advocating restraint amid mounting regional tensions and widespread protests inside Tehran.

Gulf officials said Saudi Arabia, along with other Arab states, has communicated directly with senior U.S. policymakers that sweeping strikes on Iranian territory could destabilise oil markets, disrupt the global economy and spark wider unrest across the Middle East.

Behind the scenes engagement reflects Riyadh’s concern that a broad military campaign could inflame internal dissent in Iran and trigger unpredictable consequences for neighbouring states.

Despite publicly refraining from detailed commentary on U.S. contingency planning, Saudi Arabia has made clear its preference for a calibrated approach that avoids provoking a broader conflict.

Diplomats familiar with the discussions said Saudi Arabia stressed that while it does not support Iran’s theocratic leadership, it fears that efforts to undermine or significantly weaken Tehran’s government through force could produce a power vacuum that empowers hardline factions or militias.

Riyadh conveyed to U.S. counterparts that any military option should be narrowly defined and avoid targeting critical infrastructure that could reverberate throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council, particularly given the region’s dependence on energy exports and fragile security dynamics.

Saudi officials also reportedly sought assurances that Washington would not expect Riyadh to participate directly in any offensive operations or allow its airspace to be used as a staging ground.

The Trump administration has maintained that all options remain under review as it weighs responses to Iran’s internal crackdown on protest movements and regional activities.

U.S. officials have warned allied capitals to prepare for possible action, stopping short of specifying the scale or timing of potential measures.

The private Saudi approach underscores Riyadh’s balancing act between strategic alignment with Washington and its own interest in avoiding a full-scale regional conflict.

Gulf states, including Qatar and Oman, have similarly urged caution, highlighting the risk that a broader confrontation could undermine efforts to stabilise energy markets and distract from pressing economic priorities.

Saudi Arabia’s position also signals a preference for diplomacy and de-escalation, even as it works with international partners to address longstanding disagreements with Iran’s leadership.