US security adviser, Saudi crown prince talk ‘semi-final’ deal

President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, met with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman early Sunday to discuss the “semi-final” version of a comprehensive security agreement between the two nations.

This announcement, made by the state-run Saudi Press Agency, comes in the wake of disruptions caused by Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, which Israeli authorities claim killed 1,200 people and resulted in 250 hostages being taken to Gaza.

Since then, an intense Israeli airstrike campaign and ground offensive have resulted in over 35,000 Palestinian deaths, jeopardizing the security agreement that included Saudi Arabia’s potential diplomatic recognition of Israel for the first time since 1948.

No images of Sullivan and Prince Mohammed meeting in Dhahran, home to the state-run oil giant Saudi Aramco, were released by Saudi state media.

The discussions focused on the “semi-final version of the draft strategic agreements” between Saudi Arabia and the United States, and efforts to find a credible path forward on the Palestinian issue. This included discussions on a two-state solution that meets the aspirations and legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, as well as addressing the situation in Gaza and the need to stop the war and facilitate humanitarian aid.

Saudi Arabia has long advocated for an independent Palestinian state based on Israel’s 1967 borders, with east Jerusalem as its capital—a position that may be difficult for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose government relies on support from hard-liners opposed to a two-state solution and in favor of Israeli settlements on Palestinian lands.

The White House had acknowledged Sullivan’s trip and his planned meeting with Netanyahu in Israel on Sunday. However, there was no immediate statement from the U.S. on the discussions, apart from noting that they would cover the Gaza conflict and efforts to achieve lasting peace and security in the region.

Saudi Arabia, like other Gulf Arab nations, has relied on the U.S. as a security guarantor in the Middle East amidst rising tensions over Iran’s nuclear program. The proposed agreement is expected to strengthen this relationship and might include access to advanced weapons and possible trade deals.

Saudi Arabia has also sought nuclear cooperation, including U.S. permission to enrich uranium domestically—a move that concerns nonproliferation experts due to the potential for weapons development. Prince Mohammed has indicated that Saudi Arabia would pursue a nuclear weapon if Iran did. Recently, Iran has increased its threats regarding nuclear armament.

Iran’s mission to the United Nations confirmed that Tehran held indirect talks with U.S. officials in Oman last week. The Iranian state-run IRNA news agency quoted the mission, describing these talks as part of an ongoing process.

Oman, situated on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, has previously hosted U.S.-Iran discussions, including under the Biden administration, despite ongoing tensions between the two nations.