In a significant departure from previous US policy, Donald Trump has confirmed the sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to the White House.
Historic Meeting Amid Ongoing Tensions
The meeting between Trump and the Saudi crown prince marked their first face-to-face encounter since the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an event that had severely strained diplomatic relations between the two nations. The White House visit represented a notable thaw in previously frosty relations.
During the discussions held on Wednesday 19 November 2025, both leaders addressed multiple strategic issues affecting the Middle East and US-Saudi cooperation. The F-35 jet sale particularly stands out as a major policy reversal that could reshape regional military dynamics.
Saudi Arabia's Conditions for Normalisation
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman indicated Saudi Arabia's potential interest in joining the 2020 Abraham Accords, which established normalised relations between Israel and several Arab nations. However, he attached a significant condition to this possibility.
The crown prince insisted that any Saudi move toward normalisation with Israel must include a clear path to a two-state solution for Palestine. This position adds considerable weight to ongoing Middle East peace efforts and could influence future diplomatic negotiations in the region.
Economic Commitments and Investment Plans
In addition to the defence agreements, Mohammed bin Salman announced a substantial increase in Saudi Arabia's investment commitments to the United States. The crown prince revealed that Saudi Arabia was committed to raising its US investments to $1 trillion, a significant jump from the initial $600 billion previously discussed.
This massive economic commitment underscores the deepening economic ties between the two nations and represents one of the largest foreign investment pledges in recent US history.
Regional Military Implications
The decision to provide Saudi Arabia with F-35 fighter jets, among the most advanced aircraft in the US military arsenal, marks a substantial shift in American foreign policy toward the Middle East. This move is particularly significant given the current era of heightened tensions between Israel and its neighbours.
Military analysts suggest that introducing F-35 capabilities to Saudi Arabia's air force could substantially alter the balance of military power in the region. The stealth capabilities and advanced technology of these aircraft represent a quantum leap in Saudi military capacity.
The policy shift comes at a delicate time for Middle East diplomacy, with the potential to either stabilise or further complicate regional security dynamics depending on how neighbouring powers respond to this development.
