Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a high-profile welcome at the White House, signaling a deepening alliance with the United States. President Donald Trump hosted a grand reception, highlighting the strategic alignment between the two nations amidst evolving regional dynamics.
The centerpiece of the discussions revolved around Saudi Arabia’s potential entry into the Abraham Accords. Prince Mohammed expressed Riyadh’s openness to joining the normalization framework, but with a crucial stipulation: the establishment of a viable path toward a Palestinian state. He articulated this position, stating, “We believe having a good relation with all Middle Eastern countries is a good thing, and we want to be part of the Abraham Accords. But we want also to be sure that we secure a clear path (to a) two-state solution.”
Both leaders engaged in what was described as a “healthy discussion” on laying the groundwork for achieving this objective promptly. This aligns with Saudi Arabia’s longstanding commitment to the Arab Peace Initiative. Previous confirmations from President Trump indicated “good talks” on the matter, exploring both one-state and two-state solutions.
Beyond the diplomatic front, significant progress was made on defense cooperation. A defense pact between the US and Saudi Arabia was largely finalized, with Trump indicating approval for F-35 fighter jets to be supplied to the kingdom. He emphasized that these aircraft would not be downgraded, a move that could potentially impact Israel’s military edge, a long-standing US policy consideration.
Discussions also addressed regional security, particularly concerning Iran. While President Trump alluded to past US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, he also conveyed an openness to diplomatic channels, stating, “I am totally open to it, and we are talking to them.” Prince Salman affirmed Saudi Arabia’s willingness to assist in facilitating any potential US-Iran agreement.
Economic ties were also a major focus, with Saudi Arabia pledging substantial investments in the US economy, estimated to reach hundreds of billions of dollars, with a potential to climb to a trillion. Prince Mohammed highlighted the burgeoning opportunities in sectors like AI and rare materials, emphasizing the significant economic impact of these agreements.
The high-level meeting underscored Saudi Arabia’s readiness to normalize relations with Israel, contingent upon concrete progress toward a two-state solution for Palestinians. Defense, Iran, and economic cooperation appear to be secondary to this overarching condition.