A classified document accessed by the Washington Post (WP) stated that, in the fall of 2022, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) threatened to fundamentally alter the decades-old US-Saudi relationship in case the US retaliated against Saudi Arabia’s oil cuts.
After President Biden vowed to impose “consequences” on Saudi Arabia for slashing oil production last year, Mohammed bin Salman privately threatened to sever ties and retaliate economically, according to a U.S. intelligence document obtained by The Post. https://t.co/WGSzsTn13S
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) June 9, 2023
The Leak, US Response
The leaked document claims that while the US ally took a polite stand publicly in defending its actions, MBS took a belligerent position against the US by claiming that “he will not deal with the US administration anymore.”
US President Joe Biden had vowed to impose consequences on Riyadh following the country’s decision to slash oil production. According to the document, the Crown Prince retaliated by threatening the US with significant economic consequences if any action was taken against his Kingdom.
The document suggests that MBS’ strong message was conveyed to the US, further straining the ties between the two countries, which have operated their relationship on an “oil-for-security” dynamic.
Responding to the WP report, a National Security Council spokesperson said they were unaware of any such threats by Saudi Arabia.
The official, who chose to stay anonymous, said, “In general, such documents often represent only one snapshot of a moment in time and cannot possibly offer the full picture.” The official added that the US continues collaborating with Saudi Arabia to advance its mutual interests for a more secure, stable, and prosperous region interconnected with the world.
Met with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and discussed regional security, Sudan, and other issues. We resolved to continue to work together to counter terrorism and to support efforts to bring about a lasting peace in Yemen. pic.twitter.com/GD7spyFMVN
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) June 7, 2023
Blinken’s Saudi Visit, US-Saudi Arabia Ties
US-Saudi ties have been strained due to WP Columnist Jamal Khashoggi’s death and Saudi Arabia tweaking its foreign policy. However, the importance of Riyadh in Washington’s foreign policy remains clear, with top US officials visiting the Crown Prince.
Recently, US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken was in Saudi Arabia from 6 to 8 June. He met MBS for a “candid, open” discussion covering the Yemen conflict, the Sudan crisis, and the normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Blinken also met Saudi Foreign Minister (FM) Prince Faisal bin Farhan and attended a meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. “Together, we can drive real progress for all our people, not only to address the challenges or crises of the moment, but to chart an affirmative vision for our shared future,” Blinken said in a joint press conference with the Saudi FM.
Meanwhile, there are rising concerns in the US about China’s advances in the country, with Saudi Arabia signing a China-brokered deal to restore ties with its arch-rival Iran. Responding to a question on the China problem, the Saudi FM said that Saudi Arabia’s relations with US and China were not a “zero-sum game.” Meanwhile, Blinken insisted that the US was not forcing Saudi Arabia to take sides.
Saudi Arabia is an essential pillar of the US’ Middle-East Policy. With issues on cuts in oil production, Syria’s readmission to the Arab League, Chinese entry in the region, and changing regional balance in the Middle East, it remains to be seen how the two countries conduct their decades-old relationship.