Gulf Allies Urge U.S. to Sustain Iran Campaign as Conflict Intensifies in Lebanon

President Donald Trump is facing private pressure from Gulf allies, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, to prolong military operations against Iran. Despite the president hinting at a potential conclusion to the conflict within weeks, regional partners are advocating for a sustained campaign until significant behavioral shifts or regime change occur. The pressure comes as the U.S. expands its targeting to include civilian energy and water infrastructure, headlined by a recent strike that disabled a desalination plant near the Strait of Hormuz. The regional front has seen a sharp escalation in Lebanon, where an Israeli-led campaign against Hezbollah has resulted in over 1,000 deaths and the displacement of nearly one-fifth of the Lebanese population. Following a series of rocket and drone attacks in early March, Israel has announced plans for a military occupation of southern Lebanon. This expansion of the conflict occurs against a backdrop of domestic economic pressure in the United States, where gas prices have reached $4 per gallon. While diplomatic back-channels remain unconfirmed, the White House continues to highlight the strategic degradation of Iranian forces. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reaffirmed that approximately 92% of Iran's major naval assets, including 150 vessels, have been destroyed. However, the Lebanese government remains deadlocked by internal tensions, and regional experts warn that the proxy conflict shows no signs of subsiding in the near term.