The Trump administration is holding high-level meetings this week with senior defense and intelligence officials from Israel and Saudi Arabia to discuss escalating tensions with Iran, as President Donald Trump considers possible military strikes, Axios reported, citing U.S. officials and sources familiar with the matter.
According to Axios, the talks come as the United States completes a major military buildup in the Persian Gulf, signaling readiness for potential action against Iran. Israel, Saudi Arabia and other regional states have been placed on heightened alert amid growing concerns that Washington could launch strikes in the coming days.
Israeli Intelligence Briefings
Axios reports that senior Israeli officials traveled to Washington to share detailed intelligence on potential Iranian targets. Israeli Military Intelligence Chief Gen. Shlomi Binder held meetings this week with top officials at the Pentagon, CIA and the White House, briefing U.S. counterparts on specific intelligence requested by the Trump administration.
Israeli officials view the current moment as critical, with Tehran’s military posture and regional activities under close scrutiny.
Saudi Push for De-Escalation
In contrast, Saudi Arabia is focused on preventing a broader regional war, Axios notes. Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, the younger brother of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is expected to hold meetings at the Pentagon, State Department and White House, including discussions with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff.
Sources told Axios that Riyadh is actively working behind the scenes to broker a diplomatic off-ramp, passing messages between Washington and Tehran in an effort to reduce tensions.
Earlier this week, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that Saudi Arabia would not allow its airspace to be used for a U.S. attack on Iran.
Trump Yet to Make Final Decision
White House officials told Axios that President Trump has not made a final decision on military action. While Trump publicly warned Iran on Wednesday that any strikes would be “far worse” than previous actions, his advisers insist that diplomatic options remain under consideration.
“There is still a willingness to explore diplomacy,” one administration official told Axios, even as military preparations continue.
No Active U.S.–Iran Negotiations
Despite backchannel efforts, Axios reports that there are currently no serious negotiations underway between Washington and Tehran. U.S. officials say Iran has shown little interest in a deal based on Washington’s current, maximalist terms.
Iranian leaders, meanwhile, have issued stark warnings. Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, warned on social media that any U.S. military action—regardless of scale—would be considered an act of war, triggering an immediate and unprecedented response, including strikes on Tel Aviv and U.S. interests in the region.
Iran has also threatened to target U.S. military bases across the Middle East.
Military Buildup Nearing Completion
Axios reports that the U.S. military buildup in the Gulf will be completed in the coming days. The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier has already arrived in the region as part of the expanded naval presence.
Speaking earlier this week, Trump described the force assembled near Iran as an “armada,” claiming it was larger than previous deployments.
A senior U.S. official told Axios that the current directive is to remain prepared, adding that President Trump is expected to reach another key decision point on Iran in the coming days.
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