IRIA News

The United States and Saudi Arabia agreed to strengthen cooperation in economic, scientific, and counter-terrorism fields as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the Middle Eastern country to meet top leadership.

Blinken visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to strengthen ties with the oil-rich country after disagreements on human rights, oil prices, the Iran issue, and regional security. Blinken’s visit to Saudi Arabia coincided with the reopening of the Iranian Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia after seven years. Although Iran and Saudi Arabia have improved relations, U.S. officials claim that they are working to push for the normalization of ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

During his visit to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. Blinken expressed appreciation for “Saudi Arabia’s leadership in hosting the D-ISIS Ministerial and stressed our joint continued efforts to fight terrorism” and thanked the Crown Prince for his country’s support in “evacuating hundreds of U.S. citizens from Sudan” as well as for the “ongoing partnership in diplomatic negotiations to stop the fighting there,” the Department of State statement read.

According to the statement, the two sides “affirmed their shared commitment to advance stability, security, and prosperity across the Middle East and beyond, including through a comprehensive political agreement to achieve peace, prosperity, and security in Yemen”.

The U.S. secretary and the Saudi Crown Prince also “discussed deepening economic cooperation, especially in the clean energy and technology fields,” the statement added.

In recent years, the United States and Saudi Arabia have expanded their economic cooperation. According to the Statement Department, the Saudi economy offers many opportunities for U.S. companies to engage across different sectors, from energy to healthcare and entertainment.

“U.S. energy and petrochemical companies maintain an extensive presence in the Saudi energy sector and enjoy multi-billion-dollar partnerships with two of Saudi Arabia’s largest companies, Aramco and SABIC. As it diversifies its economy under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is developing clean alternatives to traditional energy, representing tremendous opportunities for U.S. companies,” it added.

While in Riyadh, the U.S. secretary of state also held a conversation with Saudi women leaders. Blinken said that Saudi Arabia witnessed some “remarkable changes” in recent years, particularly in terms of the women workforce in the country.

Great meeting with Saudi women leaders today in Riyadh. I am inspired by their courage and achievements. Saudi women are vital to Saudi Arabia’s future success, and their progress will create new opportunities for cooperation between our countries. pic.twitter.com/4Kqd5rvtO9

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) June 7, 2023

Blinken applauded Saudi women’s courage and achievements and said in a tweet, “Saudi women are vital to Saudi Arabia’s future success, and their progress will create new opportunities for cooperation between our countries.”

On June 7, U.S. Secretary of State Blinken met with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan in Riyadh as both sides discussed bilateral, regional, and global issues.

According to the State Department readout, U.S. Secretary Blinken and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal agreed to continue to work together to combat terrorism, support efforts to bring long-lasting peace in Yemen, and promote stability, security, de-escalation, and integration in the region. The two officials also pledged to continue their strong cooperation to bring an end to the ongoing fighting in Sudan.

Gulf Cooperation Council Foreign Ministers Meeting

On June 7, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken attended the Foreign Ministers Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). During his address, Blinken highlighted that “the United States is in this region to stay, and we remain deeply invested in partnering with all of you to build the brightest and strongest possible future for the Middle East. And indeed, the GCC is at the core of our vision for a Middle East that is more stable, more secure, more prosperous, more integrated.”

Blinken stated that the U.S. and GCC partners continue to counter “Iran’s destabilizing behavior, including its nuclear escalation and recent seizures of oil tankers in international waters” and jointly combat terrorism throughout the Middle East and worldwide.

We appreciate the Gulf Cooperation Council @GCC’s partnership, including our urgent work together on the situation in Sudan, seeking a durable solution to the conflict in Yemen, and countering Iran’s destabilizing behavior. pic.twitter.com/xaGQvV6HK3

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) June 7, 2023

According to the U.S. secretary of state, the United States and Gulf partners are working together to lower “Israeli-Palestinian tensions, maintaining a horizon of hope, and working toward a two-state solution”. Blinken added that “We’re also collaborating with countries in the region to widen and deepen the normalization of relations with Israel.”

The United States and Gulf countries also continue to deepen cooperation in science and technology that goes beyond the energy sector, including through “joint research initiatives, university-commercial partnerships, and cutting-edge collaboration in areas like data sharing, biotech, and outer space,” according to the U.S. Department of State statement.