Trump’s Meeting with the Saudi Prince Is Being Praised as a ‘Historical Turning Point’ – Fortune
Saudi Arabia hailed a "historical turning point" in U.S.- Saudi relations after a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman highlighted the two leaders' shared view that Iran posed a regional security threat.
The meeting on Tuesday appeared to signal a meeting of the minds on many issues between Trump and Prince Mohammed, in a marked difference from Riyadh's often fraught relationship with the Obama administration, especially in the wake of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
"This meeting is considered a historical turning point in relations between both countries and which had passed through a period of divergence of views on many issues," a senior adviser to Prince Mohammed said in a statement.
"But the meeting today restored issues to their right path and form a big change in relations between both countries in political, military, security and economic issues," the adviser said.
Saudi Arabia had viewed with unease the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama, whom they felt considered Riyadh's alliance with Washington less important than negotiating the Iran nuclear deal.
Riyadh and other Gulf allies see in Trump a strong president who will shore up Washingtons role as their main strategic partner and help contain Riyadh's adversary Iran in a region central to U.S. security and energy interests, regional analysts said.
The deputy crown prince viewed the nuclear deal as "very dangerous," the senior adviser said, adding that both leaders had identical views on "the danger of Iran's regional expansionist activities." The White House has said the deal was not in the best interest of the United States.
Iran denies interference in Arab countries.
PRAISE FOR TRUMP
The meeting was the first since Trump's Jan. 20 inauguration with the prince, who is leading the kingdom's efforts to revive state finances by diversifying the economy away from a reliance on falling crude oil revenues.
Under the plan, which seeks to promote the private sector and make state-owned companies more efficient, Riyadh plans to sell up to 5 percent of state oil giant Saudi Aramco in what is expected to be the world's biggest initial public offering.
The two leaders, who discussed opportunities for U.S. companies to invest in Saudi Arabia, kicked off their talks in the Oval Office posing for a picture in front of journalists.
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, Trump's senior adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, chief of staff Reince Priebus and strategist Steve Bannon were also present at the Oval Office meeting with Prince Mohammed.
The meeting also appeared to illustrate support for some of the most contentious issues that Trump has faced since taking office on Jan. 20.
On a travel ban against six Muslim-majority countries, the adviser said Prince Mohammed did not regard it as one that was aimed at "Muslim countries or Islam."
Earlier this month Trump signed a revised executive order on banning citizens from Yemen, Iran, Somalia, Syria, Sudan and Libya from traveling to the United States but removed Iraq from the list, after his controversial first attempt was blocked in the court
Trump's travel ban has come under criticism for targeting citizens of several mainly Muslim countries. The senior adviser said Prince Mohammed "expressed his satisfaction after the meeting on the positive position and clarifications he heard from President Trump on his views on Islam."
The senior adviser said the leaders discussed the "successful Saudi experience of setting up a border protection system" on the Saudi -Iraq border which has prevented smuggling.
Trump has vowed to start work quickly on the barrier along the nearly 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border to prevent illegal immigrants and drugs from crossing to the north.
TRUMP REVIEWING PGM SALE
Obama late last year suspended the sale of U.S.-made precision-guidance munitions to the Saudi s, a reaction to thousands of civilian casualties from Saudi -led air strikes in Yemen.
U.S. officials said Trump was considering ending that ban and approving the sale of guidance systems made by Raytheon Co. The State Department has approved the move, which awaits a final White House decision, the officials said.
A source close to the issue, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a main topic of the meeting would be Saudi investment in the United States, which could help the U.S. president fulfill his promises of job creation.
"It's the creation of jobs through investments - President Trump wants results and statistics matter for him," said Ingrid Naranjo, an expert in U.S.- Saudi relations. "It makes a lot of sense for the diversification strategy of Saudi to invest abroad and especially in the U.S."
Gregory Gause, a Gulf expert at Texas A&M University, said that while Saudi Arabia might find the atmospherics of its relations with Trump better than those with Obama, it might find less change than it hopes on key issues.
For example, he said, Trump is unlikely to mount a major, costly effort to counter Iranian influence in Iraq, or to launch a full-scale campaign to oust Syrian President Bashar al Assad, as Riyadh might wish.
I think theyre going to find rhetorically that the new administration says things and uses language they like more, said Gause. But I think on the ground, were not going to see an enormous difference.
Visit link:
Trump's Meeting with the Saudi Prince Is Being Praised as a 'Historical Turning Point' - Fortune
- Iran Rial Tanks to Record Low as US Sanctions and Inflation Bite - Bloomberg.com - December 18th, 2025 [December 18th, 2025]
- Top Iran Stories of 2025: A Year of Renewed Maximum Pressure - Kharon - December 18th, 2025 [December 18th, 2025]
- 'I hope there wont be a war, Iran will come to its senses': Mike Huckabee on Israel, war and diplomacy - Ynetnews - December 18th, 2025 [December 18th, 2025]
- Iran: Narges Mohammadi, several other human rights defenders arbitrarily arrested in massive crackdown - World Organisation Against Torture | OMCT - December 18th, 2025 [December 18th, 2025]
- Araqchi Highlights Benefits Of Iran-Russia Cooperation In Countering Sanctions - Eurasia Review - December 18th, 2025 [December 18th, 2025]
- How Internet Censorship Impacts the Womens Rights Movement in Iran: Insights from OONI Data and Activist Interviews - Open Observatory of Network... - December 18th, 2025 [December 18th, 2025]
- U.S. TREASURY RAMPS UP ON IRAN'S SHADOW FLEET: SANCTIONS HIT 29 VESSELS TO STARVE NUCLEAR AMBITIONS The US Treasury's OFAC just dropped fresh... - December 18th, 2025 [December 18th, 2025]
- Building on our Strategic Partnership Treaty, Iran and Russia's foreign ministries have agreed on a three-year roadmap to regularize and elevate our... - December 18th, 2025 [December 18th, 2025]
- Trump security strategy gives short shrift to Iran threat, expert says - - December 18th, 2025 [December 18th, 2025]
- What Has Iran Gained from BRICS? - The National Interest - December 18th, 2025 [December 18th, 2025]
- US imposes sanctions on vessels linked to Iran, Treasury website says By Reuters - Investing.com - December 18th, 2025 [December 18th, 2025]
- Israel, Iran to expand military use of AI - Shafaq News - - December 18th, 2025 [December 18th, 2025]
- India's Mohun Bagan suspended, fined over $100,000 for refusing to visit Iran - Reuters - December 18th, 2025 [December 18th, 2025]
- Exclusive: Iran open to resuming nuclear talks with the US but wont shift its conditions, supreme leaders adviser says - CNN - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- Iran cancels new nuclear inspections it agreed to after bombing campaign - The Washington Post - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- Iran releases Marshall Islands-flagged tanker and crew it seized last week - AP News - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- Iran Releases Tanker It Seized From the Strait of Hormuz - The New York Times - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- IAEA votes to urge Iran to provide information about nuclear material - Euronews.com - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- UN committee adopts resolution criticizing Iran rights record - - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- Europeans want to revive Iran nuclear diplomacy with Iran, says France - Reuters - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- US Treasury hits Iran's shadow oil trade with sweeping sanctions - - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- Iran asks Saudi Crown Prince to press U.S. to review nuclear talks - Foundation for Defense of Democracies - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- US, European nations urge Iran to cooperate with UN nuclear watchdog - The Times of Israel - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- Iran's foreign minister says the nation is no longer enriching uranium at any site in the country - NPR - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- UN nuclear watchdog demands full cooperation from Iran on sites bombed in 12-day war - The Times of Israel - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- Beersheba resident indicted on charges of spying for Iran during military service - The Times of Israel - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- Israeli soldier indicted for sharing sensitive intel with Iran - thecradle.co - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- UN Nuclear Watchdog Board Urges Iran to Allow Inspections - IranWire - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- UN atomic agency demands Iran provide full information about its nuclear stockpile - AP News - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- Iran: No IAEA access to bombed nuclear sites without agreement - Israel National News - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- Iran: No IAEA access to bombed nuclear sites without a concrete deal - The Times of Israel - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- Iran releases Marshall Islands-flagged tanker, gives no reason for detention - The Times of Israel - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- Araghchi: Iran more prepared than ever to deter Israeli aggression - PressTV - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- New IAEA Resolution Restores Oversight, Adds No New Obligations for Iran - WANA News Agency - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- Disable the SIM, disable the citizen: Iran's new, silent crackdown | Iran International - - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- Iran climb one spot to 20th in FIFA Ranking - Tehran Times - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- Sanctioning Entities That Have Traded In Iran's Petroleum - Mirage News - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- New IAEA resolution disrupting cooperation: Iran FM - New Age BD - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- Iran's Pezeshkian says Tehran seeks peace, but will not bow to coercion - Reuters - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- IAEA chief says Iran still capable of building nuclear weapons | Iran International - - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- Cultural Genocide and the Kurdish Struggle in Iran - Genocide Watch - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- Iran Fears Gen-Z: Why the Regime Is Ratcheting Up Propaganda - National Council of Resistance of Iran - NCRI - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- Iran plotted to kill Israeli ambassador to Mexico, US and Israeli officials say - The Times of Israel - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- Iran planned to kill Israeli envoy to Mexico this year - JNS.org - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- Iran: Protest in Ahvaz Following Shocking Self-Immolation of 20-Year-Old Ahmad Baldi - National Council of Resistance of Iran - NCRI - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- Iran says open to negotiation but will not give up nuclear - The Jerusalem Post - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- Marginalization of the Baloch in Iran - Genocide Watch - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- Pezeshkian: Iran seeks peace, but wont give up its nuclear and missile programs - The Times of Israel - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- Jewish Iranian-American sentenced to prison in Iran for visiting Israel 13 years ago - Jewish Telegraphic Agency - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- Iran News in Brief November 7, 2025 - National Council of Resistance of Iran - NCRI - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- After its drone success, Iran's next breakout hit could come from the sea - Tehran Times - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- Surviving 903 Days of Torture and Sexual Assault by Iran-Backed Shia Militias - IranWire - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- Iran Arrests Baha'is in Wave of Raids Across Multiple Provinces - IranWire - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- Trump says Iran has asked about lifting US sanctions - - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- Iran unveils monument to ancient victory in show of post-war defiance - RFI - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- Iran condemns Israels breach of truce and strikes on Lebanon - Tehran Times - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- Iran: US Citizen Hekmati, 70, Sentenced to 4 Years Over Trip to Israel in 2012 - EA WorldView - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- Iran submits three films to 1st Open Eurasian Film Award Diamond Butterfly - Tehran Times - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- IDF reveals Hamas ties to Iran, UNRWA, Al Jazeera, stolen aid in collection of documents - The Jerusalem Post - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- Iran unveils monument to ancient victory in show of post-war defiance - Homenewshere.com - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- Iranian-American poets son arrested over Detroit terror plot | Iran International - - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- Average age of first-time mothers in Iran continues to rise - Tehran Times - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- Iran planned to assassinate Israel's ambassador to Mexico, but the attempt was thwarted - US official - - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- Between Mediation and Advocacy: Omans Shifting Role in Gulf-Iran Relations - orfonline.org - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- Not if they say we will bomb you: Pezeshkian says Iran seeks peace, but wont abandon nuke programme - WION - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- Soroka to receive over $300 million to rebuild after Iran missile strike in June - The Times of Israel - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Iran: Human rights investigators alarmed by surge in repression and spike in executions following Israeli airstrikes - UN News - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Iran says wont dismantle missiles, ready for war with Israel - JNS.org - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Irans Ruling Class Turns on Itself as Crises Deepen - National Council of Resistance of Iran - NCRI - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Is this the end of Iran's Islamic Revolution? - The Jerusalem Post - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Dead Sea hotel worker charged with spying for Iran; was asked for intel on Ben Gvir - The Times of Israel - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Iran's Bitcoin Mining Industry: Inside the World's Fifth-Largest Operation Amid Sanctions and Energy Crisis - Brave New Coin - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Russian FM says no limits for military cooperation with Iran - Tehran Times - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Araghchi says Israel duped US on Iran threat, urges Trump to reverse course - - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Former Israeli Ambassador Warns That Iran, Russia, and China Are Expanding Terror Sleeper Cells Across the US - VINnews - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- In the past 48 hours, the heinous lie that the unlawful Israeli and U.S. bombing of Iran was motivated by an imminent nuclear threat has been... - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Iran To Build 8 New Nuclear Plants With Russias Help - Eurasia Review - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- At the heart of regional architecture, Iran is inevitable - Tehran Times - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Iran promises to rebuild bombed nuclear sites "with greater strength" after US strikes - Euromaidan Press - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- We will not be set back: Pezeshkian vows Iran will rebuild its nuclear sites stronger than before - WION - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]