The United States and Saudi Arabia have embarked on a significantly elevated phase of military and strategic cooperation, marked by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s landmark visit to Washington. This pivotal trip, his first in nearly seven years, culminated in the White House’s announcement designating the Kingdom as a “Major Non-NATO Ally” (MNNA), a formal status poised to streamline defense interactions and deepen strategic alignment. Among the most striking pledges was the commitment to sell advanced F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets to Riyadh, a move that, according to then-President Donald Trump, faced considerable opposition from Israel, a long-standing key US ally in the region.
This historic visit wasn’t merely symbolic; it solidified a comprehensive package of bilateral agreements, with defense at its core. President Trump underscored the scale of this commitment, noting that “Saudi Arabia is making a huge commitment to strengthen its defensive capabilities through the largest arms purchase in history, nearly $142 billion in American military equipment.” He emphasized that these procurements would bolster the security of both nations and cement the Kingdom’s role as a crucial pillar of stability and security in the Middle East. Trump further asserted that Saudi Arabia, often perceived as vulnerable, had never been more secure than it was post-agreement.
The formal designation of Saudi Arabia as a Major Non-NATO Ally places it in an exclusive club alongside other critical Washington partners in the Middle East, such as Israel and Qatar, fundamentally reshaping military cooperation. President Trump highlighted this strategic upgrade, stating it would elevate military engagement to “a new level,” calling it “another victory for you today” as he addressed Crown Prince Mohammed during a ceremonial dinner. While details remain sparse, the accompanying “strategic defense agreement” appears crafted to offer security assurances akin to those extended to Qatar in October, signaling a reinforced long-term commitment.
The grandeur of the White House reception for the Saudi Crown Prince, complete with a military band, cannon salute, and a flyover by six American fighter jets, underscored the importance Washington placed on the alliance. During discussions in the Oval Office, President Trump heaped praise on his guest. However, the opulent reception was momentarily punctuated by a journalist from the presidential pool, who raised the contentious 2018 murder of dissident columnist Jamal Khashoggi, an event that had considerably strained bilateral relations. US intelligence agencies had concluded that Khashoggi was murdered in Istanbul on orders of the Saudi Crown Prince. Trump quickly dismissed the inquiry, asserting that Mohammed bin Salman was unaware of the tragedy and should not be troubled by such questions.
Beyond defense, the Crown Prince actively demonstrated his appreciation and commitment, pledging to escalate Saudi investment obligations in the US from an initially promised $600 billion this year to a staggering $1 trillion. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent later elucidated the three primary thrusts of these substantial investments. He explained, “Firstly, there’s the defense sector. Secondly, we have an excellent economy, and the dollar holds reserve currency status, so they aim to channel a trillion dollars into their existing portfolio here. Thirdly, it involves technology and innovation; they want to invest in this area, they want to buy semiconductors from us.” This underscores a multi-faceted approach to deepening economic ties, extending far beyond traditional oil revenues.
White House statements further detailed agreements spanning nuclear energy, artificial intelligence technologies, and the extraction and processing of critical minerals. The declaration concerning the peaceful use of atomic energy emerges as a cornerstone of this package, laying the groundwork for a “multi-billion dollar nuclear energy partnership for decades to come.” The White House asserted that Saudi leadership would henceforth prioritize US companies in its nuclear endeavors, with an emphatic promise that “All cooperation will adhere to strict non-proliferation standards,” aiming to mitigate global concerns regarding nuclear proliferation in the region.
Perhaps the most contentious aspect of the agreements was President Trump’s decision regarding the F-35 fighter jets, which could directly impact the qualitative military superiority (QME) of Israel, another crucial US ally in the Middle East. During Oval Office discussions, the American leader indicated that his administration would transfer the highly sought-after F-35 stealth fighters – fifth-generation aircraft currently exclusive to the Jewish state – to Saudi Arabia. These jets are pivotal to Israel’s regional military edge, a commitment the US has historically pledged to uphold. Trump revealed that the government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had lobbied for Riyadh to receive less sophisticated aircraft, a proposition the US leader deemed unlikely to satisfy Riyadh’s strategic needs.
Unofficial reports suggested that Israel had attempted to link the F-35 transfer to Saudi Arabia’s potential accession to the Abraham Accords, the US-brokered normalization process with the Jewish state. However, the Crown Prince, while in the White House, courteously conveyed that such agreements were still a distant prospect. He stated, “We definitely believe that good relations with all these new countries are good, and we want to be part of the Abraham Accords. But we also want to ensure that we can provide a clear path to a two-state solution.” He elaborated that Riyadh sought assurance that “the right conditions for achieving such a solution” were in place, emphasizing a nuanced approach that prioritizes Palestinian statehood.
The heir to the Saudi throne reaffirmed Riyadh’s desire for peace for both Israelis and Palestinians. “We want them to coexist peacefully in the region, and we will do everything possible to achieve this,” Mohammed bin Salman clarified, positioning Saudi Arabia as a potential facilitator for regional de-escalation. He further added that his nation was actively working to resume US-Iran negotiations, which had been interrupted following a 12-day conflict earlier this year. “We will do everything we can to make it happen,” he pledged, indicating a proactive Saudi diplomatic role in broader Middle Eastern security.
Following these statements, Kamal Kharrazi, foreign policy advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader, informed CNN that the Islamic Republic was indeed prepared for talks with Washington. However, he stressed that these negotiations must exclude the condition of “zero enrichment” of uranium. Kharrazi outlined Iran’s prerequisites, asserting, “They must take the first step to show they are ready to cooperate with us on the terms we propose… This must be based on equality and mutual respect.” This conditional openness from Tehran adds another layer of complexity to the region’s intricate diplomatic landscape, with Saudi Arabia attempting to bridge divides amidst persistent tensions.