First Thing: Saudi Arabia urging US to keep up Iran attacks, intelligence source confirms

<p>Mohammed bin Salman said to consider war a ‘historic opportunity’ to remake Middle East. Plus, Senate passes funding package for Homeland Security that excludes ICE</p><p>Good morning.</p><p>Saudi Arabia has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/27/saudi-arabia-us-iran-attacks-mohammed-bin-salman">urged Washington to intensify attacks on Iran</a>, a Saudi intelligence source has confirmed, while it considers whether to join the war directly.</p><p><strong>Have there been reports of active Saudi military involvement?</strong> Not so far. But a Saudi analyst said the kingdom was likely to intervene if peace efforts led by Pakistan failed. Mohammed Alhamed said: “If [Iran] rejects the conditions and continues its attacks, the threshold for Saudi action will be crossed.”</p><p><strong>What is the latest on the strait of Hormuz?</strong> On Tuesday, Tehran said it would permit “non-hostile vessels” to pass: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/26/strait-of-hormuz-visual-guide-trickle-of-ships-iran">here is a visual guide</a>.</p><p><strong>For the latest updates, </strong><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/mar/27/iran-war-live-updates-trump-negotiations-bombing-hormuz-energy-oil-prices-middle-east">follow our live blog</a>.</p><p><strong>Why has there been no DHS funding?</strong> Democrats have blocked it as they demand changes to its immigration crackdown, particularly after agents in Minneapolis killed the US citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/27/first-thing-saudi-arabia-urging-us-to-keep-up-iran-attacks-intelligence-source-confirms">Continue reading...</a>

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