US President Joe. Biden Jr. spoke on Tuesday with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohamed bin Salman regarding the Middle East situation.
According to the White House, Biden emphasised full U.S. support for defending its partners against terrorist threats, regardless of the source.
The leaders addressed ongoing diplomatic and military efforts to prevent the escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Both leaders endorsed broader diplomatic initiatives to maintain regional stability and prevent the conflict’s expansion.
They commended Egypt’s delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza but stressed the need for sustained access to food, water, and medical assistance for civilians.
The Gulf Cooperation Council’s $100 million contribution to support humanitarian efforts was welcomed, alongside the United States’ $100 million disbursement.
President Biden and Crown Prince Salman also expressed their commitment to securing the release of hostages held by Hamas.
They stressed the importance of achieving sustainable peace between Israelis and Palestinians once the crisis subsides. They acknowledged the ongoing cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the United States in recent months and pledged to remain closely coordinated.
Saudi-US history
The United States and Saudi Arabia have a long-standing relationship based on several factors, including political, economic, and security interests.
Military protection: The US provides military protection to Saudi Arabia in exchange for a reliable oil supply and pricing in US dollars. The US also seeks to maintain Saudi support for its foreign policy operations across the world
Economic relationship: Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest oil exporter, and the US is its largest foreign military sales customer. The two countries have a robust economic relationship, with the US providing technical support in areas such as education, trade, and economic development
Counterterrorism efforts: Saudi Arabia is a vital partner in security and counterterrorism efforts, and its forces work closely with US military and law enforcement bodies to safeguard both countries’ national security interests
Regional stability: The US and Saudi Arabia have a common interest in preserving the Gulf region’s stability, security, and prosperity and consult closely on a wide range of regional and global issues.
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