Saudi royal Saud Al-Shaalan, a relative of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), threatened the West with “jihad” amid the ongoing dispute between the United States (US) and Saudi Arabia over OPEC+’s oil production cut.
In a video posted to Twitter on Monday, Al-Shaalan warned the West against challenging Saudi Arabia, in a reference to threats by the US. He said that anybody who thinks they can threaten Saudi Arabia’s existence is mistaken because “we are all projects of jihad and martyrdom.”
Because I know they will delete it
— د. عبدالله العودة (@aalodah) October 15, 2022
Here it is again: pic.twitter.com/L4awAOcRRk
Al-Shaalan later deleted the video. It is not clear exactly how he is related to MBS. Several media outlets have reported that Al-Shaalan is married to one of the granddaughters of the Kingdom’s founder King Abdulaziz Al Saud. Some political analysts have also claimed that Al-Shaalan is a tribal leader and the grandson of King Abdulaziz.
However, others have said that Al-Shaalan is a “private individual” who made a “personal statement.” Middle East analyst Ali Shihabi said Al-Shaalan’s remarks have “nothing to do” with the Saudi state.
He is not a “Prince” from the Royal Al Saud family but a tribal aristocrat (from a different family) so this is an incorrect description. Saudi opposition and friends are passing off incorrect info.
— Ali Shihabi علي الشهابي (@aliShihabi) October 15, 2022
Regardless, Al-Shaalan’s comments reflect growing tensions between the US and long-time ally Saudi Arabia over the Saudi-led Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries – Plus’s (OPEC+) decision to cut oil production by two million barrels per day. US officials, including President Joe Biden, condemned the decision and vowed to re-evaluate ties with Riyadh.
Officials in the Biden administration have suggested halting all weapons supplies to Saudi Arabia, withdrawing American troops from the Kingdom, and passing the ‘No Oil Producing or Exporting Cartels’ (NOPEC) bill, which would outlaw the practice of artificially fixing oil and gas prices.
US Senator @ChuckGrassley has made good on his promise and has introduced NOPEC legislation as an amendment to the 2023 National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA).
— Javier Blas (@JavierBlas) October 13, 2022
It significantly increases the odds NOPEC gets a chance to get a full Senate floor vote next month | #OOTT pic.twitter.com/0lzp8Q8rby
The Biden administration has also accused Saudi Arabia of supporting Russia, saying the production cut would help fund its war in Ukraine and reduce the impact of price caps on Russian energy. In fact, Russia welcomed OPEC+’s moves as “balanced and thoughtful.”
Saudi Arabia, however, has rejected the US claims as baseless and said OPEC+’s decision was technical and not political. Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said the Kingdom is “astonished” by accusations that it is standing with Russia. “It is telling that these false accusations did not come from the Ukrainian government,” he tweeted.
Saudi Arabia views its relationship with the USA as a strategic one that serves the common interests of both countries.
— Saudi Embassy (@SaudiEmbassyUSA) October 17, 2022
The OPEC+ decision was based on economics, not politics.
Full Factsheet 👇 pic.twitter.com/UerwtoeSOe
Furthermore, to show the Kingdom’s commitment to Ukraine, MBS on Saturday announced $400 million in humanitarian aid for the war-torn country and expressed readiness to mediate the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
The Kingdom’s allies have also supported OPEC+’s decision to cut oil production, with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, and the Gulf Cooperation (GCC) all backing the move.