Breaking News: The United States has designated Saudi Arabia a major non-NATO ally, coinciding with ongoing talks regarding a potential F-35 fighter jet sale.
The United States has formally designated Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, a move announced during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Washington. This status, traditionally reserved for close US partners, facilitates defence and security cooperation. The designation coincides with intensive negotiations surrounding a prospective $30 billion arms deal, including the sale of F-35 fighter jets, reported by Fox News.
Discussions, detailed by the Daily Mail, centre on securing commitments from Saudi Arabia to normalise relations with Israel as a precondition for the F-35 sale. The Jerusalem Post reports that an agreement on normalisation would represent a significant diplomatic breakthrough, strengthening the regional security architecture. The Sun also covers the deal, noting the complexities given past tensions between the US and Saudi Arabia regarding human rights concerns. The Daily Telegraph confirms the non-NATO ally status and details ongoing debate within the Biden administration over proceeding with the sale.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated, according to Fox News, that the designation “reflects the deepening security partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia.” Critics, however – as reported by The Sun – have voiced concerns that the arms sale disregards the Kingdom’s human rights record. This deal has been decades in the making, but stalled over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Further negotiations are expected to refine the terms of both the arms sale and the proposed normalisation agreement. The situation remains fluid, dependent on continued diplomatic progress and addressing outstanding concerns about Saudi Arabia’s regional role. A formal announcement regarding the F-35 deal awaits final approval from the US Congress.
Sources: The Daily Telegraph, The Sun, Daily Mail, Fox News, The Jerusalem Post.
