U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was unaware of the killing of U.S. resident and Saudi national Jamal Khashoggi. Trump welcomed the Saudi leader, commonly referred to as MBS, aiming to enhance the sale of F-35 fighter jets and secure various business agreements with Saudi Arabia.
Prince Mohammed last visited Washington shortly before Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi royal family and a columnist for The Washington Post, was murdered in Turkey in 2018. Khashoggi entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 that year and never emerged alive. Turkish officials alleged that the attackers strangled him, dismembered his body with a bone saw, and disposed of it.
Despite U.S. intelligence linking MBS to the gruesome killing, the crown prince denied giving the order but admitted responsibility as the de facto ruler of the kingdom. Trump defended bin Salman, stating that he was unaware of the incident and criticizing a journalist who asked about Khashoggi’s murder.
Bin Salman expressed regret over the loss of life and assured that measures would be taken to prevent such incidents in the future. The warm reception of the crown prince in Washington indicated a significant improvement in relations following the strain caused by Khashoggi’s murder.
Meanwhile, a human rights and democracy organization founded by Khashoggi, named DAWN, protested the visit of the crown prince outside the Saudi embassy in Washington, D.C. The organization displayed an LED billboard truck with a message highlighting MBS’s alleged crimes.
Prince Mohammed has positioned himself as a peacemaker, fostering relations with Iran, advocating for a Gaza ceasefire, and reintegrating Syria into the Arab community. Domestically, he has implemented reforms, including economic changes and social liberalization.
Although invited to the G7 summit by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, bin Salman did not attend. Canada, under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, condemned the killing of Khashoggi and imposed sanctions on Saudis linked to the murder.
The meeting between Trump and bin Salman emphasized the strategic relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, with discussions focusing on security cooperation, business deals, and the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. This sale would mark a significant shift in regional policy, as Israel has been the sole Middle Eastern country with access to these jets.
Bin Salman expressed willingness to enhance U.S. investment in Saudi Arabia and hinted at a possible defense agreement with the U.S. The crown prince also reiterated his stance on the Abraham Accords, emphasizing the need for a path to Palestinian statehood for Saudi Arabia to consider normalizing ties with Israel.
Trump, who facilitated agreements between Israel and several Arab nations during his first term, views Saudi Arabia’s participation in the Abraham Accords as crucial for broader Middle East peace efforts. The article concludes by highlighting key aspects of bin Salman’s rise to power and his progressive reforms within Saudi Arabia.