It’s time for the Saudis to put up — or shut up on Iran

Saudi Arabia reportedly convinced President Donald Trump to call off the planned massive attack on Iran over the weekend; will the kingdom now live up to the long-term obligations that ask implies?

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That is: If Riyadh wants to help shape US policy, it needs to act as a full-fledged US ally, and deliver — whether by somehow getting Iran to truly reopen the Strait of Hormuz and denuclearize, or by committing major financial and military resources to a serious military campaign that forces Tehran’s hand.

Trump said he paused the strikes last Saturday because the kingdom and other Gulf states asked him to: Per Saudi media, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman urged the prez to prioritize “dialogue to de-escalate tensions” and “prevent a wider conflict.”

Yet it’s obvious Tehran doesn’t want “to de-escalate tensions” and is certain that threatening “a wider conflict” is how it can win in negotiations what it can’t on the battlefield.

Heck, Iran claimed Monday that it’s not even planning to hold talks, let alone agree to a deal.

Trump himself fumed that “Iranian Leadership is unbelievably duplicitous!”

If the Saudi ruler wants Washington to stand down anyway, then he needs to put a whole lot more skin in the game.

We get it: The prince fears Iran will retaliate against key Saudi sites if US forces strike power plants or other vital infrastructure in Iran; other Gulf states share similar worries.

But the prolonged holdoff on serious strikes even though the diplomatic dance never goes anywhere only prolongs the misery — for the region and the world.

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MBS surely doesn’t want to see Iran get nukes or control the Strait, charging protection money; the only other option is sustained, forceful military and financial pressure.

Riyadh has gotten tougher: Back in May, it denied US forces the use of Saudi airspace and bases to defend ships in the Strait; last week, it reportedly joined in (limited) US strikes.

That’s the way to go: The Saudis can’t keep sheltering under the US security blanket that’s protected the kingdom for decades.

The sane Saudi response to Iranian threats isn’t appeasement but stronger deterrence, defense — and even offense.

All the Gulf nations will benefit greatly from a defanged Iran and a fully reopened Strait; it’s in their interest to step up and join the US mission.

MBS needs to start talking out of just one side of his mouth, or he’s not worth listening to.

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Lead, follow or get out of the way.