Saudi Arabia is discussing a defence deal with the Trump administration similar to a US-Qatar pact last month that pledged to regard any attack on the Gulf state as a threat to American “peace and security”.
The kingdom hopes a deal can be sealed when its day-to-day leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visits the White House next month, amid expectations it will be “robust” and include enhanced military and intelligence co-operation, people familiar with the matter said.
When asked about the potential defence pact, a senior Trump administration official said: “There are discussions about signing something when the crown prince comes, but the details are in flux.” The White House and State Department declined to comment on details of the potential deal.