US President Donald Trump announced that the United States will move forward with selling F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, marking a significant shift in defence cooperation just as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman prepares for his first Washington visit in more than seven years. Trump described Saudi Arabia as a strong ally and confirmed that the kingdom’s request for the world-class stealth aircraft will be fulfilled. The crown prince is expected to arrive with clear priorities, including assurances on US military protection and access to advanced American defence technology.
The decision comes at a delicate moment in Middle Eastern geopolitics. While Trump is pushing for deeper ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia under an expanded Abraham Accords framework, concerns remain about preserving Israel’s military advantage. US officials have long been cautious about approving the sale of advanced jets in the region, especially after a previous F-35 deal with the United Arab Emirates was halted over fears of potential technology leakage to China. Similar concerns still apply to Saudi Arabia, which maintains close economic ties with Beijing.
Trump’s renewed push for normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia is central to his long-term Middle East strategy. He has repeatedly expressed hope that Riyadh will join the Abraham Accords, calling it essential for regional stability as the fragile Gaza ceasefire continues. Yet internal assessments in Washington suggest that progress remains limited. Saudi leaders continue to insist on a clear path toward Palestinian statehood before committing to any agreement—an idea strongly opposed by the Israeli government. While an immediate breakthrough appears unlikely, US officials are cautiously optimistic that a deal could materialize before the end of Trump’s second term.
The F-35 announcement also echoes a previous arms deal made in late 2020, when the Trump administration notified Congress of plans to sell the jets to the UAE. That deal was temporarily frozen by Joe Biden after taking office in 2021. With the latest approval for Saudi Arabia, Trump is signaling a renewed and assertive foreign policy direction aimed at reinforcing alliances, countering regional threats, and tightening US influence across the Middle East ahead of a major diplomatic visit.
