F-35 and Abraham Accords Drive Agenda for Saudi Crown Prince’s US Visit

Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, will receive an exceptionally warm welcome in Washington on Tuesday, signalling a remarkable reset in US-Saudi ties after years of tension. The red-carpet reception by US President Donald Trump marks the Crown Prince’s first visit to the United States since the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi—an incident that pushed the relationship into its deepest crisis in decades. Today, the tone is dramatically different, with both countries ready to strengthen military ties, expand economic cooperation, and chart a joint vision for the future of the Middle East.

The Crown Prince, widely known as MBS, arrives with an agenda that includes discussions on advanced weapons, massive investment deals, new technology partnerships, and a potential breakthrough on regional diplomacy. One of the biggest conversations will revolve around an unprecedented proposal: the sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. Trump confirmed ahead of the visit that “we’ll be selling” the aircraft, signalling his approval for a deal that could reshape the regional military landscape. Washington has long restricted the F-35 to ensure that Israel remains the only Middle Eastern nation with the cutting-edge aircraft. Allowing Riyadh to acquire it would mark a significant policy shift—one that may require parallel assurances to Israel.

The visit also carries enormous economic stakes. Saudi Arabia is expected to reaffirm its previously announced pledge of $600 billion in future investments across US industries ranging from defence and energy to manufacturing and artificial intelligence. Trump, who has frequently highlighted the importance of economic engagement with Riyadh, hopes to accelerate these commitments during the Crown Prince’s trip. Senior White House officials have indicated that the two sides are preparing a series of deals that will deepen long-term cooperation and lock in strategic interdependence.

Another major theme running through the visit is the growing influence of China in the Gulf region. Washington sees Saudi Arabia as a critical partner in countering Beijing’s expanding footprint across energy, technology and defence sectors. Analysts say the US wants to ensure that Riyadh remains firmly aligned with Washington’s security and economic architecture. According to former US negotiator Dennis Ross, the Biden administration views deeper ties with Saudi Arabia as essential to keeping the kingdom “bound to the US on security, finance, AI and energy—and not to China.”

Diplomatically, Trump is also expected to press the Crown Prince on joining the Abraham Accords. These agreements—initially signed by Israel, Bahrain, the UAE, Morocco and Sudan—were a defining achievement of Trump’s previous term and recently expanded to include Kazakhstan. Saudi Arabia’s entry would be the most significant breakthrough since the accords began. However, Riyadh has maintained that full normalization with Israel requires meaningful progress toward Palestinian statehood. With the Gaza conflict dominating regional politics, expectations for immediate movement are low. Still, even incremental progress during the visit could pave the way for a broader US-Saudi security pact.

Experts believe a new security agreement between the two countries is increasingly likely, even if normalization with Israel does not materialize right now. Such a pact could involve defence guarantees, expanded military cooperation and US support for Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear ambitions. Jonathan Panikoff, a former US intelligence official, notes that Saudi Arabia’s massive investment commitments could help “soften the ground” for deeper strategic ties, especially as Trump seeks to rebuild US influence in a rapidly shifting Middle East.

The symbolism of this visit is as important as the deals on the table. After the shock and condemnation that followed Khashoggi’s murder, the relationship between the two countries seemed beyond repair. Yet today’s red-carpet welcome reflects a pragmatic reality: both nations see each other as indispensable partners. The US wants stability, investment and a reliable regional ally. Saudi Arabia wants advanced weapons, modern technology, global investment opportunities and strong security assurances.

As MBS steps into the White House for a day filled with high-level meetings, formal dinners and closed-door negotiations, the message is clear—the future of the US-Saudi relationship is being rewritten. And what emerges from this visit could reshape the balance of power in the Middle East for years to come.