US finalizes security pact with Saudi Arabia

US national security adviserJake Sullivan meets with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Dhahran to finalize a security agreement aimed at a two-state solution in Palestine

Jake Sullivan, national security adviser to U.S. President Joe Biden, met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman early Sunday to discuss a “semi-final” version of a far-reaching security agreement between the two countries.

The meeting in Dhahran, home to Saudi Aramco, came amid heightened tensions following October 7.

The Saudi Press Agency reported that the talks focused on finalizing the strategic agreement and addressing the Palestinian issue by finding a credible path toward a two-state solution, meeting the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, and discussing the situation in Gaza, including the need to halt the war and facilitate humanitarian aid.

Saudi Arabia has traditionally supported the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along Israel’s 1967 borders, with east Jerusalem as its capital.

This stance poses a challenge for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose government relies on hard-line support that opposes a two-state solution and supports Israeli settlements on Palestinian lands.

The White House confirmed Sullivan’s trip and his subsequent meeting with Netanyahu in Israel, emphasizing discussions on the war in Gaza and efforts to achieve lasting peace and security in the region.

The strategic agreement between Saudi Arabia and the U.S. is likely to enhance security cooperation, potentially including access to advanced weapons, trade agreements and nuclear cooperation.

Riyadh presses for nuclear cooperation that would allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium, raising proliferation concerns. Crown Prince Mohammed has stated that if Iran acquires nuclear weapons, Saudi Arabia will also pursue nuclear weapons.

Meanwhile, Iran confirmed holding indirect talks with U.S. officials in Oman last week, described as part of an ongoing process. Oman has previously hosted U.S.-Iran talks, even under President Biden, despite the ongoing tensions.

This agreement between Saudi Arabia and the U.S., if finalized, could significantly reshape the security dynamics in the Middle East, particularly in light of the current conflict in Gaza and the broader geopolitical tensions involving Iran.

Source: AP