The British newspaper "Financial Times" reported today that Saudi Arabia and the United States are currently holding advanced talks towards a new defense agreement, which will be based on a similar principle to the presidential order recently signed by US President Donald Trump regarding Qatar.
ccording to the report, the aim of the agreement is to determine that an attack on Saudi Arabia will be considered a threat to the peace and security of the United States, and to establish a framework for deeper military and intelligence cooperation than currently exists.
A senior official in Washington told the newspaper that the parties are discussing the possibility of announcing the agreement during the upcoming visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House next month, but noted that the details have not yet been agreed. The US State Department told the newspaper that security cooperation with the kingdom is a "cornerstone of the regional strategy," but did not provide further details about the agreement that is taking shape.
Bin Salman's visit is expected to be his first to the US since 2018, and will take place against the backdrop of significant changes in the regional security situation. The report states that, according to estimates in Washington, the Crown Prince will seek a clearer US commitment to the defense of his kingdom. Washington commentators quoted in the report believed that Trump may issue a presidential order or announce a new bilateral agreement, which would provide Riyadh with a more visible deterrent against regional threats and include rapid coordination mechanisms in the event of escalation.