By Foreign Affairs Correspondent
London, (The Muslim News): Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is set to visit the White House on November 18, where he will meet U.S. President Donald Trump for high-level talks expected to shape the future of regional diplomacy. The discussions are understood to focus on a Saudi proposal to normalise relations with Israel — conditional upon the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
The visit follows President Trump’s trip to Riyadh in May and reflects ongoing efforts to consolidate U.S.–Saudi ties amid shifting regional dynamics. According to sources in Riyadh, the Crown Prince intends to build on his earlier success in persuading the U.S. President to oppose Israel’s annexation of parts of the West Bank. His current objective is to secure American backing for a clear “pathway” towards Palestinian statehood — a step that resonates with growing sympathy for the Palestinian cause among sections of the U.S. public, including within parts of the Republican Party.
Normalisation with Israel, a key U.S. diplomatic goal, is being presented by Saudi Arabia as a strategic concession tied to three core conditions: the recognition of a sovereign Palestinian state, the conclusion of a binding Saudi–U.S. defence pact, and American cooperation on a Saudi civil nuclear energy programme.
The third condition remains particularly contentious, with Israeli officials reportedly opposing any such nuclear cooperation at this stage.
The Gaza crisis and the future of Palestinian governance will also feature prominently in the talks. Crown Prince Mohammed is expected to urge Washington to press Israel to release tax revenues withheld from the Palestinian Authority (PA) and to enable the transfer of Saudi financial support earmarked for strengthening and restructuring the Authority.
Sources say the Saudi plan seeks to reduce Hamas’ influence while restoring stability and governance in Gaza. To that end, Riyadh will request U.S. intelligence-sharing with a newly formed PA security force and explore possible U.S. training assistance. The aim is to build a credible and professional Palestinian security framework capable of restoring order and providing an alternative to factional control.
The initiative also complements Saudi Arabia’s efforts to reinforce Egypt’s role in managing Gaza affairs — an approach expected to appeal to President Trump, who maintains close relations with Cairo’s leadership.
In a separate diplomatic initiative, the Crown Prince is preparing to offer Saudi mediation between the United States and Iran, contingent on regional stability in the days leading up to his visit. Sources indicate that Riyadh has Tehran’s preliminary agreement to host direct talks in the Saudi capital, potentially leading to an accord to be signed by U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
If successful, such an initiative could position Saudi Arabia as a key intermediary between rival powers and mark a significant step towards de-escalation in the Gulf.
[Photo: US President Donald Trump (L) is welcomed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud (R) as he arrives at Malik Khalid Airport, for the first leg of his three-country Middle East tour in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 13, 2025. Photo by ‘BANDAR AL-JALOUD / SAUDI ROYAL COURT / HANDOUT’/AA]
