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Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman (KBS) said in a private briefing on Friday in Washington that if President Trump doesn't follow through on his threats against Iran, the regime will end up stronger, four sources in the room tell Axios.

Why it matters: This is a reversal from the public Saudi talking points cautioning against escalation and from the deep concern Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) expressed to Trump three weeks ago. That warning was one reason Trump decided to delay a strike.

Catch up quick: KBS, the crown prince's younger brother and closest confidant, was visiting Washington for meetings on Iran as the region braces for U.S. military action, and a response Tehran has vowed would be "unprecedented" in scope.

Trump has ordered a massive U.S. military buildup in the Gulf, though White House officials insist he hasn't made a final decision and is still willing to explore diplomacy.

At the moment, there are no serious direct negotiations between the U.S. and Iran. U.S. officials say Tehran doesn't seem interested in a deal based on the maximalist U.S. terms.

"Iran always wants to make a deal. But what kind of deal do you want to make is the problem. What kind of deal Iran wants to make and what kind of deal the U.S. accepts? That's a very good question, and we don't see it coming together at this point," a Gulf official said.

Driving the news: KBS held a lengthy meeting at the White House on Thursday with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Joint Chiefs chair Gen. Dan Caine.

The primary focus was on the possibility of a U.S. strike in Iran, according to a source with knowledge.

The remarks represent a notable shift from Saudi Arabia’s recent public messaging. In recent weeks, Saudi officials had cautioned against escalation and warned of the risks of broader regional conflict. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) had reportedly expressed deep concern to Trump about the consequences of a direct U.S. military strike on Iran. That warning was said to be one of the reasons Trump decided to delay potential military action.

However, during his latest visit to Washington, Prince Khalid — often referred to as KBS and considered one of the crown prince’s closest confidants — delivered a more forceful message behind closed doors. According to sources, he argued that failing to act after issuing strong public threats would embolden Tehran and weaken U.S. credibility in the region.

The visit comes at a tense moment as the Middle East braces for possible U.S. military action against Iran. Trump has ordered a significant U.S. military buildup in the Gulf region, deploying additional naval and air assets. Despite this show of force, White House officials maintain that the president has not made a final decision and remains open to diplomacy if a viable path emerges.

At present, however, there are no serious direct negotiations between the United States and Iran. U.S. officials say Tehran appears uninterested in engaging under Washington’s current terms, which they describe as maximalist and demanding sweeping concessions on Iran’s nuclear program and regional activities.

“Iran always wants to make a deal. But what kind of deal do you want to make is the problem,” a Gulf official familiar with the discussions said. “What kind of deal Iran wants to make and what kind of deal the U.S. accepts? That’s a very good question, and we don’t see it coming together at this point.”

Prince Khalid’s discussions in Washington included a lengthy meeting at the White House on Thursday. Participants included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, White House envoy Steve Witkoff, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine. According to a source with knowledge of the meeting, the primary focus was the possibility of a U.S. strike on Iranian targets and the likely consequences.

Saudi Arabia has historically viewed Iran as its main regional rival, with tensions rooted in geopolitical competition, sectarian differences and influence across the Middle East. Riyadh has accused Tehran of supporting proxy groups that threaten Saudi security and destabilize neighboring countries. However, in recent years, Saudi Arabia has also sought to reduce direct confrontation and has engaged in cautious diplomatic outreach to lower tensions.

The apparent change in tone during Prince Khalid’s private briefing suggests internal debate within Saudi leadership about the best approach to Iran. On one hand, there is fear that military escalation could trigger Iranian retaliation against Gulf states, including missile or drone attacks on oil infrastructure. On the other hand, there is concern that a failure to respond firmly to Iran’s actions could signal weakness and encourage further aggression.

Iran has warned that any U.S. military strike would be met with what it described as an “unprecedented” response. Iranian officials have suggested that American bases and allied interests in the region could become targets in the event of conflict.

For Washington, the situation presents a difficult balancing act. A strike could deter Iran but also risks igniting a broader regional war. Restraint, however, could be interpreted by some allies as a retreat from U.S. commitments.

As diplomatic options appear limited and military preparations continue, uncertainty remains high. Prince Khalid’s comments underscore the complex calculations facing both the United States and Saudi Arabia as they weigh the risks of action versus inaction in dealing with Iran.