A senior adviser to President Donald Trump has pointed out a significant difference between Washington and its Gulf allies regarding the endgame of the Iran war, stating Axios that Saudi Arabia wants a much harsher military outcome than what the White House is willing to pursue.
“The Saudis sound like Mark Levin,” the adviser said. “They want the U.S. to finish the job by wiping Iran off the earth now. We don’t want to.”These remarks refer to Fox News host Mark Levin, a conservative commentator who has gained influence over Trump’s approach to the conflict. Trump himself directed his followers to watch Levin’s show on Truth Social, saying it would “discuss the importance of hitting Iran, HARD!!!” During the broadcast, Levin suggested sending specialized U.S. troops into Iran to secure the country’s stockpile of enriched uranium.
Despite the aggressive talk surrounding him, the adviser’s comment shows that the White House does not share the views of the more extreme voices in the discussion. Trump is considering exit strategies, including the possibility of leaving while the Strait of Hormuz is closed and without a deal, but he is also gathering more forces in the region, which looks like the preparation for an invasion. “He doesn’t want to put boots on the ground,” one adviser said. “And when he doesn’t want to do something, he goes to great lengths not to do it.”
However, the situation on the ground remains very complex. Despite Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stating that Iran’s military is “neutralized,” Iranian missiles later hit a base in Saudi Arabia, injuring 29 American soldiers and damaging U.S. refueling and surveillance aircraft. The main reason for the war — eliminating Iran’s nuclear threat — is still not resolved. Trump is now considering a risky ground operation to take control of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. These comments highlight the growing tension between Gulf allies eager for a decisive action and a White House looking for an exit plan.