In Dubai, President Joe Biden’s national security adviser convened with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday to deliberate over what the kingdom termed as the penultimate iteration of a comprehensive security accord between the nations. This proclamation by the state-controlled Saudi Press Agency comes as the strategic arrangement was disrupted following Hamas’ assault on Israel on October 7, resulting in 1,200 fatalities and 250 individuals being taken hostage to the Gaza Strip.
Subsequent to this, a relentless Israeli aerial bombardment and ground incursion have claimed the lives of over 35,000 Palestinians, jeopardizing the security pact that encompassed Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic recognition of Israel for the first time since its inception in 1948. Saudi state media did not disseminate any visuals of Jake Sullivan and Prince Mohammed’s meeting in Dhahran, a city in the kingdom’s eastern region, which hosts the state-owned oil behemoth, Saudi Aramco.
The semi-final version of the draft strategic agreements between the kingdom and the United States of America, which are nearing finalization and include deliberations on the Palestinian issue to establish a credible pathway, were discussed, according to the statement issued post-talks.
This encompassed a two-state solution that aligns with the aspirations and legitimate rights of the Palestinian populace, addressing the situation in Gaza, the necessity to cease hostilities there, and facilitating humanitarian aid entry, the statement elaborated. Saudi Arabia has consistently advocated for the establishment of an autonomous Palestinian state based on Israel’s pre-1967 boundaries, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Nonetheless, this stance might be unfeasible for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose administration is dependent on the support of hardliners who oppose a two-state solution and endorse Israeli settlements on territories desired by Palestinians for their state. The White House confirmed Sullivan’s visit and mentioned his subsequent journey to Israel. However, there was no immediate declaration from the US regarding the discussions, except to mention that they would cover the war in Gaza and ongoing endeavors to achieve enduring peace and security in the region.
For a long time, Saudi Arabia, like other Gulf Arab states, has relied on the US as the security guarantor for the broader Middle East amid rising tensions over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, which have led to a series of attacks in recent years. The current proposal likely aims to deepen this relationship and reportedly includes access to advanced weaponry and potential trade deals.
Furthermore, Saudi Arabia has advocated for nuclear cooperation in the agreement, which entails the US permitting it to enrich uranium within the kingdom, a matter of concern for nonproliferation experts, as operating centrifuges could pave the way for a potential weapons program. Prince Mohammed has declared that the kingdom would pursue a nuclear arsenal if Iran acquired one. In recent weeks, Iran has increasingly threatened that it might do so.