Financial Times: Riyadh is discussing a comprehensive defense agreement with the Trump administration
Saudi Arabia is in talks with the United States regarding a new defense agreement similar to the one it struck with Qatar, in which Washington pledged to consider any attack on the Gulf state a threat to US security.
According to the Financial Times, Saudi Arabia hopes to conclude this agreement during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s upcoming visit to the White House next month.
The agreement is expected to be strong and comprehensive and include enhanced military and intelligence cooperation between the two countries.
Asked about the potential agreement, a senior Trump administration official said, “There are discussions about signing something when the crown prince arrives, but the details are still fluid”.
The White House and the US State Department declined to comment on the details of the agreement, while the State Department emphasized that defense cooperation with the Kingdom represents a strong pillar of our regional strategy.
The US State Department explained that Washington “is committed to the security of the region and will continue to work with Saudi Arabia to resolve conflicts, promote regional integration, and prevent terrorists from finding safe haven”.
The Saudi Crown prince, MBS will arrive in the United States weeks after President Trump signed an executive order stating that Washington will respond to any attack on Qatar by taking all appropriate legal measures, including diplomatic, economic, and military action, as necessary.
This decision came after Israel launched missiles last month at the Qatari capital, Doha, targeting Hamas leaders, shocking the oil-rich Gulf states, which view Washington as the primary guarantor of their security.
The Saudi Crown Prince’s upcoming visit to Washington will be his first since 2018, during Trump’s first term, with whom he and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, have close ties.
Saudi Arabia is one of the largest importers of US weapons, as during Trump’s visit to the region in May, the White House announced a $142 billion arms deal—double Saudi Arabia’s 2024 defense budget.
The deal, described as “the largest defense deal in history,” includes capabilities in air and space, missile defense, and maritime and border security.
Last month, Saudi Arabia signed a “strategic mutual defense” agreement with nuclear-armed Pakistan, a move interpreted as a message to the United States and Israel that the kingdom is willing to diversify its security alliances to bolster its defense capabilities.
