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Saudi Crown Prince seeks stronger defence guarantees ahead of meeting with Trump
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is set to travel to Washington this week, marking his first visit to the United States since 2018. According to officials, the crown prince will press the US administration for stronger defence assurances, while President Donald Trump is expected to encourage Riyadh to move closer to normalising relations with Israel.
The trip comes after years of strained ties following the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an event that triggered global condemnation. Despite diplomatic tensions, Prince Mohammed has maintained a warm personal relationship with Trump, reinforced by major investment commitments announced during the US president’s 2025 visit to Riyadh.
Analysts caution that a breakthrough on normalisation with Israel remains unlikely. Saudi Arabia is prioritising firm security guarantees, particularly after Israel’s September strikes on Qatar — a close US ally — heightened regional anxieties.
“For Saudi Arabia, this visit aims to elevate and deepen cooperation in defence and security,” wrote Aziz Alghashian of the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington.
According to a source close to the Saudi government, Prince Mohammed is scheduled to meet Trump on Tuesday. As is common with high-level Saudi visits, the itinerary has not been publicly detailed in advance. A US-Saudi investment forum focused on artificial intelligence and energy will also take place during the trip.
Security Guarantees Take Centre Stage
Trump has repeatedly said he wants Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords, describing Saudi-Israeli normalisation as a key diplomatic victory. However, Riyadh remains firm: no agreement is possible without the establishment of a Palestinian state.
“A Palestinian state is essential for regional integration,” said Manal Radwan of the Saudi foreign affairs ministry during the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain.
During the visit, Saudi Arabia is expected to seek assurances similar to the security pledge Washington granted Qatar following Israel’s September strike. Riyadh is also pursuing access to advanced missile defence systems and approval to purchase F-35 fighter jets — aircraft currently operated in the Middle East only by Israel.
In addition, the kingdom is seeking high-performance semiconductor chips to accelerate its artificial intelligence ambitions under its Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy.
Saudi Arabia has also pushed for reduced regional tensions, including renewed dialogue with Iran, as it rolls out major tourism, infrastructure and technology initiatives.
