By Al-Fassel | 2024-09-11

Saudi Arabia and the United States are working to finalize a package of agreements that would enhance their longstanding economic, strategic and military partnership.

The "historic" agreements would fundamentally transform the region's dynamics, US ambassador to Saudi Arabia Michael Ratney told Asharq Al-Awsat August 26.

"While we came very close and are very close on very important elements of this agreement, it is important that we finalize all of it together, and with that we would have a history-making agreement between the US and Saudi," he said.

These elements are interconnected and cannot be separated, Ratney said.

The agreements would include security, economic and technological guarantees to the kingdom, as well as support for its civilian nuclear program.

The pact would also make it incumbent on both countries to work together to deter and confront any external aggression.

"We are in a complicated region and there are a lot of complexities to the agreement itself, but we will do it as quickly as possible," Ratney said.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met in Dhahran in May to discuss a "semi-final" draft deal.

Among other provisions, the deal -- seen as an affirmation of the longterm US commitment to the kingdom -- provides security guarantees that would enhance regional security by deterring the threat from Iran and its proxies.

It also is expected to keep China's growing military interest in the region in check. Though China has shown an increased interest in Middle East affairs, intelligence analysts say its arms sales and security support are "negligible."

Ratney said the United States is committed to the security of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, noting that US forces have been working to deter the Houthis' attacks in the Red Sea.

"We do it because freedom of navigation in this part of the world is profoundly important and our commitment to the security of Saudi Arabia and the security of this entire region is paramount," he said.