US says Trump ‘interested’ in asking Arab countries to pay for war on Iran

Al Jazeera
March 30, 2026
3 min read

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Trump administration says the president is considering asking Arab countries to pay for a potential military conflict with Iran.

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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Trump is interested in asking Arab countries to financially support a potential military conflict with Iran. Leavitt characterized the cost-shifting arrangement as "an idea" the president is considering, suggesting it reflects Trump's approach to burden-sharing with regional allies. The proposal would depart from the traditional model in which the US bears the primary financial burden of major military operations in the Middle East. Trump has previously emphasized getting other nations to pay for American military commitments abroad, a theme he has emphasized since his first term. The statement signals the administration's willingness to explore unconventional financing mechanisms for potential military action in the region.

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