The New York Times reports that the United States and Saudi Arabia are seeking a defense agreement. According to a statement by an American official, this agreement has been created under pressure from the United States to normalize Saudi Arabia’s relations with Israel.
According to the possible outline of the agreement, if there is an attack on Saudi Arabia’s territory, it will receive assistance from the United States. According to The New York Times, the type of agreement that Japan or South Korea has with the United States could be somewhat similar.
In recent times, both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have shown interest in signing military agreements with the United States to support their efforts in countering Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Riyadh believes that one important aspect of this potential agreement is the ongoing discussions with the Biden administration about Israel.
Furthermore, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is seeking U.S. assistance in developing a ballistic missile program for his country. Additionally, he has expressed Saudi Arabia’s willingness to offer concessions to the Palestinians to facilitate Israel’s peace agreements.
It’s worth noting that the United States currently has a military presence in both Japan and South Korea. Whether a similar agreement will be reached with Saudi Arabia remains unclear.
In 2021, the United States withdrew its Patriot missile batteries and military personnel from Saudi Arabia. However, a letter sent to Congress in June stated that there are currently around 2,700 American troops stationed in Saudi Arabia.
Source: Middle East Monitor
