All articles tagged with #mohammed bin salman
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told President Trump in a weekend call to prevent U.S. escalation with Iran, warning that strikes could invite Iranian retaliation against Gulf energy infrastructure. The White House confirmed the discussion but provided no details as Trump weighs potential new actions; amid the tension, the State Department issued security alerts for Americans in 10 regional countries.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly told evangelical leader Mike Evans that he would recognize Israel today, but said King Salman was the obstacle; the claim, not independently verified by The Jerusalem Post, comes as Trump pushes a broader push for Arab states to join the Abraham Accords and normalize relations with Israel, linking it to discussions on Iran. Evans described MBS as pro-Israel and critical of the Palestinians, with Riyadh publicly tying recognition to progress on Palestinian issues.
House Judiciary Committee Democrat Jamie Raskin announced a sweeping probe into Jared Kushner over alleged self-enrichment and a conflict of interest linked to his firm Affinity Partners, which has drawn the vast majority of its funding from foreign governments, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, while Kushner served as a White House envoy; the committee seeks documents to examine bribery laws, conflict-of-interest provisions, and FARA, with a deadline of April 30 to comply.
Saudi Arabia has pressed the US to intensify strikes on Iran and is weighing direct participation in the widening conflict, according to a Saudi intelligence source and NYT reporting. While Riyadh has not yet committed troops, analysts say it could act if Iran escalates or peace efforts fail, amid Iranian drone strikes on Yanbu and concerns over Red Sea oil routes and potential Houthi involvement; the UAE has urged a decisive outcome, highlighting broader regional recalibration of security partnerships.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will visit U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on November 18 to discuss strengthening ties, including potential defense agreements and Saudi participation in the Abraham Accords, amid ongoing negotiations and strategic cooperation between the two nations.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has condemned Israel's actions in Gaza as "genocide" during a summit of Muslim and Arab leaders, marking one of the strongest criticisms from a Saudi official. He also criticized Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Iran, warning against any aggression towards Iranian soil. The summit called for Israel's withdrawal from the West Bank and Gaza, while Saudi Arabia's foreign minister criticized the international community for failing to end the conflict. The war in Gaza began after a Hamas attack on Israel, leading to significant casualties in Gaza. The summit also addressed Israel's ban on the UN Palestinian refugee agency, Unrwa, from operating in certain areas.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has condemned Israel's actions in Gaza as "genocide" during a summit with Arab and Islamic leaders in Riyadh. He criticized Israel's military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, calling for an immediate ceasefire and denouncing the banning of aid agencies. The prince also warned against further attacks on Iran and emphasized the need for a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. Other leaders, including Egypt's President Sisi and Turkey's President Erdogan, echoed calls for action against Israel's policies.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman called Donald Trump to express his happiness over Trump's return to power, highlighting the strengthened US-Saudi relations during Trump's previous term. The relationship had been strained under President Biden due to his criticism of Saudi Arabia following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Jared Kushner defended his private equity firm's $2bn investment from Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, denying any conflict of interest despite his close work with the kingdom during the Trump administration. He dismissed ethical concerns and criticism over the Saudi crown prince's alleged involvement in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, emphasizing his focus on representing America's interests. Kushner also expressed disinterest in returning to the White House if Trump wins the upcoming presidential election, preferring to concentrate on his firm and family life.
Jared Kushner defended his private equity firm's $2 billion investment from a Saudi sovereign wealth fund after leaving the White House, dismissing concerns about conflicts of interest. He also defended his relationship with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has been implicated in the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, and expressed support for the prince's leadership in the region. Kushner stated that he followed all laws and ethics rules and emphasized that his focus is on his investment business and family life in Florida, rather than rejoining the White House if Trump wins the 2024 presidential election.
Saudi Arabia has officially joined the BRICS group, a move that raises questions about its implications on the ongoing peace negotiations with Israel and the potential U.S.-Saudi defense treaty. The BRICS bloc, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has traditionally focused on economic growth among developing nations. The decision by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to align with BRICS could signal a shift in the Kingdom's geopolitical strategy.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is visiting the Middle East for talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) to discuss oil production, OPEC+, and conflicts in the Gaza Strip and Ukraine. Putin's visit comes after a drop in oil prices despite OPEC+'s commitment to further cut output. He will also meet with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi during his trip. The discussions will cover energy cooperation, the Israeli-Hamas conflict, the situation in Syria and Yemen, and ensuring stability in the Gulf. Putin and MbS, who control a significant portion of global oil production, have maintained close ties despite occasional tensions.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly kept US Secretary of State Antony Blinken waiting for hours for a meeting and did not show up until the next day, in a snub to the US diplomat. Blinken was seeking to persuade the Saudi ruler to condemn the Hamas terror attacks, but encountered key differences between the US and Saudi positions. The Saudi crown prince called for Israel to halt military operations and de-escalate the conflict, contrasting with the Biden administration's support for Israel's actions while calling for the protection of civilian lives. Blinken's attempts to find common ground with Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi also faced little success. Saudi Arabia has been a key US ally, but its ruler has sought a more independent course in recent years, including forming closer ties with China.
Five years after the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has successfully rehabilitated his regime's image and strengthened his position on the global stage. Despite US intelligence officials implicating Prince Mohammed in Khashoggi's assassination, he has met with world leaders, positioned Saudi Arabia as a tourism destination, and pursued ambitious projects like the Neom city. Both the Trump and Biden administrations have prioritized short-term economic and security interests over human rights, with Biden failing to hold Prince Mohammed accountable. The crown prince has even embarrassed Biden by flexing his influence over global oil markets. As a result, Prince Mohammed has emerged more defiant and powerful than ever before.
Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, dismissed allegations of sportswashing and stated that he doesn't care about the criticism. Through the country's Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia has been actively involved in global sports, including the creation of LIV Golf and acquiring high-profile players for the Saudi Pro League. Critics argue that these investments are aimed at improving Saudi Arabia's image, but bin Salman emphasized the economic benefits, stating that if sportswashing can increase the country's GDP by 1%, he will continue with it.