Saudi Arabia secretly pushes Iran for de-escalation after U.S.-Israel strikes, backed by region and Europe.

Saudi Arabia is intensifying secret diplomatic talks with Iran to de-escalate the Middle East conflict following U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran in February 2026, according to European officials. Backchannel communications involving diplomats and security officials aim to prevent further escalation and restrict the use of Gulf territories for attacks on Iran. While Iran has refused direct talks with the U.S. or Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar have jointly pledged not to allow their airspace or territory to be used against Iran. The efforts, backed by regional and European nations, reflect growing concern over regional stability and global market impacts, though the outcome remains uncertain.