US, Saudi Arabia working on defence agreement before year-end

The United States and Saudi Arabia are engaged in negotiations to finalise a defence and security agreement, which is expected to be signed before the end of 2024.

This timeline would allow the deal to be passed through the US Senate, Caliber.Az reports per Sky News Arabia. 

Both countries are aiming to conclude the agreement before the year’s end.

"Washington is pushing to secure approval for a defence agreement with Saudi Arabia in the Senate before the year is out, aiming to secure 60 votes," the sources stated.

Concerns are growing in the US that if the deal is delayed until after the presidential election, when Republican candidate Donald Trump might take office, it could struggle to pass through the Senate.

While the details of the agreement remain unclear, sources indicated that it is expected to lay the groundwork for a broader set of deals, including with Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.

While a broader peace deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel was derailed after the Hamas attacks on October 7, the two nations are still negotiating a separate set of security, economic, and technological agreements.

Saudi national security adviser Musaad bin Mohammed al-Aiban visited Washington recently, meeting with senior US officials including Jake Sullivan, Brett McGurk, and Antony Blinken. Discussions centred on strengthening bilateral ties, particularly through a new security pact.

This agreement is expected to mirror those the US has signed with other Gulf states in recent years, such as Qatar and Bahrain.

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan emphasised the strong working relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia, stating, "Today the working relationship with the US is among the best we have ever had, including in the national security space but also in economic cooperation."

The US is seeking to counter growing Chinese and Russian influence in the Gulf, with several regional countries now moving closer to the US after previous talks with China and Russia on military and strategic matters.

By Aghakazim Guliyev