The administration of President Joe Biden has decided to lift the ban on the sale of offensive weapons from the United States to Saudi Arabia. President Biden had previously suspended the sale of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia three years ago, shortly after taking office.
In this context, a U.S. congressional official reported that the Biden administration informed legislators this week of its decision to lift the ban on the sale of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia, noting that defense sales could resume as early as next week. Additionally, a senior official in the Biden administration stated that the Saudis have fulfilled the agreement, and we are ready to uphold our end, adding that arms sales will return to the usual process involving notification and consultation with Congress.
The Financial Times had earlier reported, citing American officials, that the United States was expected to lift the ban on selling "offensive weapons" to Saudi Arabia in the coming weeks. The newspaper stated that relations between the two countries have significantly improved, especially following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which reinforced Washington's belief in the need to cooperate with the Kingdom on key issues, including energy, and to support American policies in the Middle East.
This comes amid American assurances that Washington and Riyadh are nearing the completion of a defense agreement and a civilian nuclear pact. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that agreements are only weeks away; however, he cautioned against embarking on a broader normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel unless there is calm in Gaza and a pathway is paved for the establishment of a Palestinian state.
