United States-Saudi Arabia: A crisis-peppered partnership

The Pentagon has announced that the United States and Saudi Arabia have signed a major arms deal worth $650 million.

The deal, approved by the US State Department, will help Saudi Arabia to&nbsp;protect itself from drone attacks by Yemen.

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According to a spokesperson of the State Department, ''We've seen an increase in cross-border attacks against Saudi Arabia over the past year.''

''The sale is fully consistent with the administration's pledge to lead with diplomacy to end the conflict in Yemen.''

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Saudi Arabia is leading a fight against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, who are supported by Iran which supplies them drones and other weapons.

The sale comes as President Joe Biden's administration takes a cautious approach to support the kingdom. His predecessor Donald Trump had a friendly relationship with Riyadh.

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Saudi Arabia has been&nbsp;criticised&nbsp;by several US lawmakers for its involvement in the Yemen war. The country is facing one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters.

However, it is an important partner of the US in the Middle East and one of Washington's closest allies in countering the threat posed by Iran.

The package would include 280 AIM-120C-7/C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), 596 LAU-128 Missile Rail Launchers (MRL) along with containers and support equipment, spare parts, US&nbsp;Government and contractor engineering and technical support.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The Pentagon has announced that the United States and Saudi Arabia have signed a major arms deal worth $650 million. The deal, approved by the US State Department, will help Saudi Arabia to protect itself from drone attacks by Yemen.

The Pentagon has announced that the United States and Saudi Arabia have signed a major arms deal worth $650 million. The deal, approved by the US State Department, will help Saudi Arabia to protect itself from drone attacks by Yemen. According to a spokesperson of the State Department, ''We've seen an increase in cross-border attacks against Saudi Arabia over the past year.'' ''The sale is fully consistent with the administration's pledge to lead with diplomacy to end the conflict in Yemen.'' Also read | People are upset and uncertain, says US President Joe Biden on poll drubbing for Democrats Saudi Arabia is leading a fight against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, who are supported by Iran which supplies them drones and other weapons. The sale comes as President Joe Biden's administration takes a cautious approach to support the kingdom. His predecessor Donald Trump had a friendly relationship with Riyadh. Also read | Pentagon report says China could have 1000 nuclear warheads by 2030 Saudi Arabia has been criticised by several US lawmakers for its involvement in the Yemen war. The country is facing one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters. However, it is an important partner of the US in the Middle East and one of Washington's closest allies in countering the threat posed by Iran. The package would include 280 AIM-120C-7/C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), 596 LAU-128 Missile Rail Launchers (MRL) along with containers and support equipment, spare parts, US Government and contractor engineering and technical support. (With inputs from agencies)

US-Saudi Arabia sign defence deal worth $650 million, first under Biden administration

Saudi&nbsp;Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in remarks aired on Tuesday that the United States was a strategic partner and that Riyadh had only a few differences with the Biden administration which it was working to resolve.

The kingdom's de facto ruler also said&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia would not accept any pressure or interference in its internal affairs.

President Joe Biden, who has said he would only speak with his&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;counterpart King Salman, has taken a tougher stand with Riyadh on its human rights record and the Yemen war than predecessor Donald Trump, who had strong ties with Prince Mohammed.

"We are more than 90 per cent&nbsp;in agreement with the Biden administration when it comes to&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;and US&nbsp;interests and we are working to strengthen these interests," the prince said.

"The matters we disagree on represent less than 10 per cent&nbsp;and we are working to find solutions and understandings ... there is no doubt that the United States is a strategic partner," he added.

Saudi&nbsp;Arabia is also building strategic partnerships with Russia, India and China, he said in an interview on&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;TV.

The Biden administration earlier this year released a US&nbsp;intelligence report implicating the crown prince in the 2018 murder of&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;journalist Jamal Khashoggi but spared him any direct punishment. The prince denies any involvement.

It has also withdrawn support for offensive operations by a&nbsp;Saudi-led coalition battling Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis.

The conflict is seen as a proxy war between&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia and Iran which are locked in a rivalry for regional influence.

Prince Mohammed said his country wanted good ties with Iran, with which Riyadh severed diplomatic ties in 2016.

"Our problem is with Iran's negative behaviour," he said, mentioning Tehran's nuclear programme, missiles programme and support for proxies around the region.

"We are working with our regional and global partners to find solutions to these problems and we hope to overcome them for good relations that benefit everyone," he added.

Regional sources have said that&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;and Iranian officials held direct talks in Iraq this month aimed at easing tensions with discussions focused on Yemen and efforts to revive global powers' 2015 nuclear accord with Tehran.

Saudi&nbsp;Arabia supported Trump's decision in 2018 to quit the pact and reimpose sanctions on Iran. Tehran responded by breaching several nuclear restrictions.

Asked about Yemen, Prince Mohammed said no state wanted an armed militia along its borders and urged the Houthis to "sit at the negotiating table."

Riyadh last month presented a nationwide ceasefire proposal for Yemen but the Houthis have yet to accept it.

(With inputs from agencies)

Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in remarks aired on Tuesday that the United States was a strategic partner and that Riyadh had only a few differences with the Biden administration which it was working to resolve.

Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in remarks aired on Tuesday that the United States was a strategic partner and that Riyadh had only a few differences with the Biden administration which it was working to resolve. The kingdom's de facto ruler also said Saudi Arabia would not accept any pressure or interference in its internal affairs. President Joe Biden, who has said he would only speak with his Saudi counterpart King Salman, has taken a tougher stand with Riyadh on its human rights record and the Yemen war than predecessor Donald Trump, who had strong ties with Prince Mohammed. "We are more than 90 per cent in agreement with the Biden administration when it comes to Saudi and US interests and we are working to strengthen these interests," the prince said. "The matters we disagree on represent less than 10 per cent and we are working to find solutions and understandings ... there is no doubt that the United States is a strategic partner," he added. Saudi Arabia is also building strategic partnerships with Russia, India and China, he said in an interview on Saudi TV. The Biden administration earlier this year released a US intelligence report implicating the crown prince in the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi but spared him any direct punishment. The prince denies any involvement. It has also withdrawn support for offensive operations by a Saudi-led coalition battling Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis. The conflict is seen as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran which are locked in a rivalry for regional influence. Prince Mohammed said his country wanted good ties with Iran, with which Riyadh severed diplomatic ties in 2016. "Our problem is with Iran's negative behaviour," he said, mentioning Tehran's nuclear programme, missiles programme and support for proxies around the region. "We are working with our regional and global partners to find solutions to these problems and we hope to overcome them for good relations that benefit everyone," he added. Regional sources have said that Saudi and Iranian officials held direct talks in Iraq this month aimed at easing tensions with discussions focused on Yemen and efforts to revive global powers' 2015 nuclear accord with Tehran. Saudi Arabia supported Trump's decision in 2018 to quit the pact and reimpose sanctions on Iran. Tehran responded by breaching several nuclear restrictions. Asked about Yemen, Prince Mohammed said no state wanted an armed militia along its borders and urged the Houthis to "sit at the negotiating table." Riyadh last month presented a nationwide ceasefire proposal for Yemen but the Houthis have yet to accept it. (With inputs from agencies)

Saudi Arabia still has some differences with Biden administration, says Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

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United States-Saudi Arabia: A crisis-peppered partnership

US-Saudi Arabia sign defence deal worth $650 million, first under Biden administration

Saudi Arabia still has some differences with Biden administration, says Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman