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Trump says Saudi Arabia is ‘disintegrating’
Donald Trump said Saudi Arabia was “disintegrating” and claimed it had asked him to delay further attacks on Iran. His remarks could offend a close US ally, which is facing missile and drone strikes from Yemen’s Houthis, and underline tensions around Gulf security and Washington’s role.
In an interview released on Friday, Trump said he could destroy Iran’s energy facilities, bridges and manufacturing capacity in three days, but that Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states preferred a pause because of their vulnerability. He named Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE and Bahrain as also favouring a wait. Saudi Arabia has relied on the US for security since the Second World War; in March, Trump also spoke boastfully about his influence over Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
In short
- Trump says Saudi Arabia wants a pause in attacks on Iran.
- He claims Iran’s key infrastructure could be destroyed in three days.
- Gulf states’ security dependence on the US is central to the remarks.
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