Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — In a move marking the most significant recalibration of American Middle East diplomacy in years, President Donald Trump’s first overseas trip saw him land in Saudi Arabia, underscoring the kingdom’s central role in US regional strategy and signaling a new era of engagement and collaboration against Iranian influence and terrorism.
The visit, meticulously organized by both nations, placed Saudi Arabia at the heart of President Trump’s Middle East agenda. While his itinerary covered several Gulf states, there was no ambiguity: the focus was on strengthening the critical US-Saudi relationship. Saudi Arabia’s geopolitical weight, regional influence, and increasing role in global energy and security policies made it the natural anchor for a series of high-profile meetings and multi-billion dollar agreements.
Substantial Economic and Defense Agreements
President Trump’s trip culminated in the announcement of agreements between the US and Saudi Arabia valued at more than $110 billion, with the potential for further deals surpassing $350 billion over the next decade. These contracts span advanced US weaponry, missile defense systems, cyber capabilities, and intelligence cooperation. American officials underscored the magnitude of the economic boost expected—a surge in high-tech and manufacturing jobs, investment stimulus, and new frontiers for technological exchange between the two nations.
The deals support Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030, seeking to diversify the Saudi economy beyond oil, while deepening US commercial involvement in the Kingdom’s transformation. Joint ventures on energy, digital infrastructure, and local industrial development were announced, reinforcing mutual economic dependence and strategic trust.
Strategic Realignment Against Iranian-Backed Terrorism
At the political center of Trump’s visit was the shared US-Saudi objective to counter Iranian ambitions and the web of terror groups it arms and directs. Meeting with leaders from across the Arab and Islamic world in Riyadh, US officials and their Saudi hosts emphasized the need for a broad regional coalition to contain threats such as Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen.
In his keynote address to the Arab-Islamic-American Summit, President Trump urged Middle Eastern states to take ownership over counter-extremism campaigns, calling on governments to “drive out” terrorist organizations and reject Iranian-backed destabilization. The summit fostered closer US-Saudi coordination on sanctioning terror financing, sharing intelligence, and defending critical infrastructure from the evolving threat posed by Iran’s proxies.
Israel, though absent from the summit, supported this diplomatic opening, recognizing the benefits of greater Arab willingness to coordinate security policy in confronting the axis of Iranian-backed organizations. This development built on the Abraham Accords, which marked a paradigm shift by establishing open ties between Israel and several Arab states, further isolating Iranian-backed terror networks and setting the stage for deeper regional cooperation.
Regional and Historical Context
The summit’s timing is rooted in the region’s ongoing turmoil and the rise of Iranian aggression since the 2015 nuclear deal. Gulf states, deeply alarmed by Iran’s advances and the spread of terror and sectarian violence, sought renewed American commitments. Trump’s presence in Riyadh—together with the vast arms and economic packages—provided reassurance of US willingness to restore the balance of power and deter adversarial activities.
The visit also acknowledged the trauma inflicted by Iran’s partners. The October 7, 2023 massacre by Hamas terrorists in Israel, the deadliest antisemitic atrocity since the Holocaust, remains fresh in the region’s memory and a persistent reminder of the danger posed by unchecked terror actors. The resilience of Israeli society and US-backed security guarantees underpin Israel’s determination—and the US-Saudi partnership’s importance—in facing down the threat.
Challenges, Criticism, and Prospects
Though the trip was hailed in Riyadh and Washington as a turning point, critics have contentiously raised human rights issues in Saudi Arabia. Senior US officials maintain that engagement enables gradual, constructive reform, noting that—while not ignoring concerns—the imperative of regional stability and counterterrorism takes precedence. For Saudi Arabia, strengthened US ties enable the economic diversification and security guarantees essential to its long-term ambitions.
Iran, for its part, responded to the summit by vowing increased support for its proxies. In Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, the regime continued arming groups intent on undermining regional progress and threatening Israel and US-aligned nations. The coming years will test the strength and adaptability of the newly invigorated coalition as it seeks to preempt terror threats, protect critical economies, and stabilize a fragile order.
Conclusion: A New Foundation for US-Saudi-Israeli Alignment
President Trump’s Saudi visit and the resulting agreements reflect a new level of US commitment to allies facing the threats of Iranian terror. By cementing economic and defense partnerships, Washington and Riyadh have taken a decisive step towards building a more secure and economically vibrant region—a strategy that benefits the United States at home and reinforces a rules-based international system abroad. The alignment between the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Israel forms the backbone of regional resilience against Iranian-backed organizations and will continue to shape events across the Middle East for years to come.
