Saudi Arabia and US Discuss Defense Pact Ahead of Crown Prince's Washington Visit

Discussions Underway for Robust Defense Agreement

Saudi Arabia is engaged in advanced discussions with the United States regarding a potential defense pact, according to recent reports. This agreement, which sources suggest could be finalized during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's (MbS) visit to Washington next month, aims to solidify security ties between the two nations. The Crown Prince's trip would mark his first to the US capital since 2018.

The proposed deal is anticipated to be 'robust,' encompassing expanded military and intelligence cooperation, joint defense planning, intelligence sharing, and enhanced collaboration in missile and air defense. A senior official in the Trump administration confirmed that 'there are discussions about signing something when the Crown Prince comes, but the details are in flux.'

Modeled on US-Qatar Security Guarantee

The discussions are reportedly centered on a pact similar to the one recently signed between the United States and Qatar. The US-Qatar agreement, formalized through an executive order by President Donald Trump in October 2025, pledges that any armed attack on Qatar's territory, sovereignty, or critical infrastructure would be regarded as 'a threat to the peace and security of the United States.' In such an event, the US committed to taking 'all lawful and appropriate measures—including diplomatic, economic, and, if necessary, militarily' to defend both countries' interests.

The US State Department has characterized defense cooperation with Saudi Arabia as 'a strong bedrock of our regional strategy,' underscoring Washington's commitment to regional security.

Geopolitical Context and Previous Negotiations

The renewed push for a defense pact follows previous negotiations under the Biden administration, which sought a comprehensive security agreement linked to the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. These earlier talks reportedly stalled after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack and the subsequent conflict in Gaza. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has since stated that any normalization with Israel would be conditional on the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Unlike the previous efforts, the current discussions for a standalone defense deal with the Trump administration are not reported to include the condition of normalization with Israel. Saudi Arabia has historically been a significant purchaser of US weaponry, with a $142 billion arms deal announced during President Trump's visit to Riyadh in May 2025. In a move signaling a diversification of its security partnerships, Saudi Arabia also recently signed a 'strategic mutual defense' pact with Pakistan.

Significance for Regional Stability

The potential defense pact between Saudi Arabia and the United States holds significant implications for regional stability in the Middle East. It aims to provide Riyadh with enhanced security assurances, particularly in a volatile geopolitical environment. The outcome of these discussions and the details of any finalized agreement will be closely watched by international observers as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit approaches.