The Biden administration and Saudi Arabia are reportedly nearing the finalization of an agreement encompassing U.S. security assurances and civilian nuclear aid.
However, a long-anticipated Israel-Saudi normalization pact, seen as a key component of a broader Middle East “grand bargain,” remains elusive.
This information comes from seven individuals familiar with the ongoing negotiations.
According to two sources privy to the matter, a working draft has been formulated, outlining principles and proposals aimed at reviving a U.S.-led initiative to reshape the volatile region.
The initiative was disrupted by Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel and the subsequent outbreak of war in Gaza. The effectiveness of this strategy is uncertain, especially given the evolving situation in Gaza.
Negotiators from the United States and Saudi Arabia have reportedly prioritized a bilateral security agreement, which would then be integrated into a comprehensive package presented to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu would be tasked with deciding whether to make concessions in order to establish historic ties with Riyadh, according to five sources familiar with the discussions.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated on Thursday that an agreement on the U.S.-Saudi portion of the package is imminent, with details expected to be finalized expeditiously.
The envisioned security accord between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia is anticipated to include formal U.S. commitments to defend the kingdom, along with provisions for Saudi access to advanced American weaponry.
In return, Riyadh would be expected to cease Chinese arms acquisitions and limit Beijing’s investments in the country, as per foreign diplomats in the Gulf and sources in Washington.
Additionally, the agreement is likely to involve technology sharing, including advancements in artificial intelligence, as noted by individuals familiar with the negotiations.
These terms are anticipated to be solidified in the coming weeks, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
