Trump opens the door to Arab financing of the war

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The White House indicated on Monday that Donald Trump was at least in principle in favor of Arab countries participating in the war against Iran. When asked at a press conference about sharing the cost with Arab states, spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt responded that it was “something the president would be interested in doing,” without announcing a specific mechanism or naming any countries.

This development is significant as it marks a shift in the debate towards the political and strategic financing of the conflict. According to reports from the press conference, Karoline Leavitt did not confirm that a formal request had already been made to Arab capitals, but hinted that Donald Trump may publicly address this issue. So far, the idea is at the level of an option being considered by the American presidency.

This stance comes as the Trump administration continues to combine diplomatic overtures with military threats against Tehran. On the same day, Donald Trump stated that “serious discussions” were ongoing with a “new, more reasonable regime” in Iran, while also threatening to strike Iranian energy infrastructure massively if no agreement is reached quickly and if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened.

The question of Arab contribution also harkens back to a well-known historical precedent in Washington: the Gulf War of 1990-1991, where a significant part of the cost was offset by regional allies, including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. This reminder served as a basis for the question posed to Karoline Leavitt during the briefing, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.

At this point, no public commitment from Arab countries has been announced. The positions of Gulf monarchies remain complex: several regional partners of the United States support a tough stance against Iran, but also worry about the economic, security, and energy consequences of a prolonged war. Recent reports show that Saudi Arabia and the UAE are urging Washington not to rush into a deal with Tehran too quickly while remaining wary of escalation in the Gulf.

In the immediate term, the White House statement adds a new dimension to the Iranian issue: after diplomacy, threats regarding the Strait of Hormuz, and ultimatums on oil infrastructure, the question of war funding now enters the American public debate. The question remains whether Donald Trump will translate this idea into a concrete demand to Arab capitals, or if it is currently more of a political signal in the context of maximum pressure on Tehran.

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