By Summer Said and Alexander Ward
Gulf Arab states are growing alarmed by President Trump's eagerness to do a deal to end the war with Iran that leaves them with a hostile but potent rival and are pushing to continue the fight, people familiar with their positions said.
The leaders of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are lobbying the president to stick with the war until Iran is sufficiently weakened that it won't pose a threat, people familiar with their positions said.
Saudi Arabia isn't comfortable with a 15-point plan Arab mediators said the U.S. presented to Iran to resolve the conflict, which would trade full sanctions relief for Iranian concessions on every major point of disagreement with the U.S., according to a draft shared with The Wall Street Journal.
The White House, Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E. didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.
Trump is expressing keenness privately as well as publicly to craft a diplomatic end to the fighting the U.S. and Israel started on Feb. 28, people familiar with the matter said. If successful, he would end the war at a time when Iran has successfully asserted control over the Strait of Hormuz, inflicted damage on crucial energy infrastructure such as Qatar's Ras Laffan gas facilities, and launched thousands of drones and missiles at counties across the Gulf.
Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E. fear Iran will be left with enduring influence over their energy exports and security as a result of the war.
This item is part of a Wall Street Journal live coverage event. The full stream can be found by searching P/WSJL (WSJ Live Coverage).
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
March 24, 2026 19:40 ET (23:40 GMT)
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