As Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in Washington, it was clear that the visit held implications far beyond US-Saudi Arabia relations. Much like US President Donald Trump’s earlier Gulf tour that catalyzed partnerships worth hundreds of billions of dollars, the outcomes of the crown prince’s recent visit to the United States signal a broader recalibration in which Riyadh and Washington are positioning themselves to shape the next phase of bilateral ties, with potential implications for the wider region.
The fulcrum of this relationship is no longer oil. Aligning with ambitious reform programs, Saudi Arabia is strategically positioning itself as a major node in the global technological economy, investing billions of dollars in AI infrastructure, semiconductor capabilities and the digital economy. The two countries have established a Strategic Framework for Cooperation to strengthen supply chains for uranium and critical minerals, backed by two-way investment. This is part of the United States’ broader agenda to reduce dependence on China amid ongoing volatility in global heavy rare earth supply. The United States and Saudi Arabia also completed negotiations on a long-sought nuclear technology-sharing deal, potentially paving the way for a formal civil nuclear cooperation agreement. The new US-Saudi nuclear deal sets the stage for a long-term partnership that makes US firms Riyadh’s preferred partners for its civilian nuclear program and leverages the country’s substantial uranium reserves. This also potentially places Saudi Arabia as a future supplier to the US nuclear industry, especially as the United States focuses on building resilient uranium supply chains. The agreement will be submitted to Congress as a Section 123 Agreement, which requires a formal review to assess its strategic and security implications. Nuclear power is strategically vital for Saudi Arabia for its energy diversification as well as to secure reliable baseload power for its growing population. It also frees up more oil for export to strengthen economic resilience, support desalination and advance the country’s climate goals.
Saudi Arabia signaled its willingness to invest up to $1 trillion in US industries, ranging from critical minerals to clean energy and AI. For the Trump administration, this is not just a political win to showcase at home but also represents a major step in expanding the United States’ technological footprint in the Gulf, reaffirming it as the region’s preferred partner in a technological landscape that is becoming central to the global economy. In the past decade, Saudi Arabia’s ambitious reform program Vision 2030 has evolved from a domestic reform blueprint into a strategic geopolitical instrument that has given Riyadh significant leverage in the region. This is especially important in the context of US-Saudi Arabia relations as Washington sees AI and critical technologies as the most consequential battleground of great-power competition. Both sides view technology as the new architecture of the relationship, one that offers far more strategic resilience than the transactional oil-for-security bargain of earlier decades. Also, while the United States remains Saudi Arabia’s most preferred and natural partner for technology and economic cooperation, Riyadh has in recent years strategically broadened its foreign policy engagements to diversify its partnerships and increase its strategic autonomy.
It was clear during the recent visit that defense and security ties remain at the top of the agenda, particularly at a time when the region’s security landscape is shifting so rapidly. Israeli military operations have heightened regional anxieties. As a result, regional governments are reassessing their strategic posture in an increasingly competitive geopolitical environment. Against this backdrop, Washington’s decision to designate Saudi Arabia a “major non-NATO ally,” approve the sale of F-35 jets without downgrades and finalize a new strategic defense agreement highlights the continuing deep security ties. If Saudi Arabia acquires a fifth-generation fighter, it would represent a significant shift, positioning it as the only country other than Israel to field such advanced systems. For Saudi Arabia, these moves provide the advanced deterrence capabilities amid evolving regional security challenges. For the United States, empowering reliable regional partners is indispensable at a time when it aims to maintain influence without expanding military commitments and continuing with its withdrawal from the region.
For the United States, its regional allies are important to preserve its strategic interests, especially at a time when Washington is recalibrating its presence in the Middle East and relying more on partners to uphold stability. Despite being at its weakest, Iran still projects significant regional influence, evident in the responses of pro-Iran groups in Lebanon, where Hezbollah faces pressure to disarm, and in Iraq amid post-election coalition disputes. The 2023 Saudi–Iran détente has paved the way to reduce tensions between the countries, and ever since, there have been significant developments in bilateral relations. The timing of President Masoud Pezeshkian’s recent message to Riyadh has drawn attention, particularly in light of remarks by the Saudi crown prince and President Trump about the possibility of a renewed nuclear deal. While no concrete developments have emerged, these signals have triggered fresh speculation about a potential Saudi role, even as Iranian officials deny any such diplomatic channel. The broader discussion reflects Riyadh’s expanding diplomatic influence and its capacity to shape the context in which any future US-Iran engagement might unfold. Moreover, any prospective nuclear arrangement will inevitably consider the concerns of Washington’s regional partners. In this environment, Saudi Arabia’s stance could significantly affect the direction of US-Iran diplomacy and the wider debate over Iran’s regional role. Riyadh’s growing diplomatic weight makes it a critical actor in managing regional crises, whether in Yemen, Lebanon or Iraq. During the recent visit, the crown prince also requested Trump to take decisive action to halt Sudan’s slide toward state collapse, stressing that strong US pressure is essential to end the civil war.
The question of Saudi–Israel normalization featured during the recent visit, though with far less fanfare than previous meetings. Saudi Arabia has made its position unequivocal that there will be no normalization without a “ clear path” to Palestinian statehood. In the current regional climate that is marked by public outrage over Israeli actions and heightened political sensitivity across the Arab world, Saudi Arabia will not dilute this stance.
What distinguishes this visit from earlier chapters in the relationship is Riyadh’s acute understanding of the nature of US domestic politics vis-à-vis its foreign policy. Saudi Arabia has calibrated its diplomacy to Trump’s transactional instincts, recognizing that visible economic benefits, including investment pledges, manufacturing deals and high-value technology partnerships, hold disproportionate political weight in Washington. By strengthening its ties with Saudi Arabia and reaffirming the durability of their alliance, the United States is seeking to maintain its influence in a region that has increasingly diversified its partnerships with other major powers. In return, Saudi Arabia is seeking long-term commitments, including security assurances, expanded technological access and a central role in the United States’ regional strategy. Moreover, Washington’s new approach to the Middle East prioritizes indirect leverage by enabling partners like Saudi Arabia to manage instability. This shift reflects a broader recognition that Gulf powers are no longer passive security consumers but increasingly active shapers of the regional order. Ultimately, the recent visit represents more than a reset; it marks the emergence of a new strategic compact between Washington and Riyadh. Saudi Arabia recognizes that US foreign policy will continue to change with each election cycle, so it looks for stable, institutional commitments instead of relying on particular administrations whose priorities may change. The Middle East will remain a pivotal region given its central role in global energy, connectivity and economic influence, and any crisis there will have far-reaching consequences well beyond its borders. Saudi Arabia has emerged as a key power capable of defining the regional landscape and influencing wider global dynamics. In this context, the crown prince’s recent visit underscores a consequential but straightforward fact — Saudi Arabia and the United States increasingly need each other, not just to manage the Middle East, but also to navigate the contours of the emerging global order.
