US, Saudi Arabia clinch F-35 sale and nuclear cooperation deals
“Washington and Riyadh unveiled civil nuclear and F-35 defence deals during Mohammed bin Salman’s visit, signalling a deeper strategic partnership.”
Key points
- Washington and Riyadh unveiled civil nuclear and F-35 defence deals during Mohammed bin Salman’s visit, signalling a deeper strategic partnership.
- The announcements carry major regional implications as the US seeks to pair defence ties with wider Middle East diplomacy.
The White House announced agreements with Saudi Arabia covering civil nuclear cooperation and a major defence package that includes future deliveries of US F-35 fighter jets, during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Washington visit.
Officials described the nuclear declaration as laying a legal foundation for a long-term partnership built around strict non-proliferation standards. The F-35 sale, sought by Riyadh, would mark a significant shift in regional defence dynamics traditionally shaped around Israel’s qualitative military edge.
US President Donald Trump welcomed the crown prince with full ceremonial honours and lauded growing Saudi investment in the United States. The administration also framed the deals as part of broader efforts to build on a Gaza ceasefire and pursue regional normalisation, even as longstanding concerns over enrichment safeguards and human rights persist.
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