On Tuesday, former U.S. President Donald Trump began his trip to the Gulf with a dramatic announcement. He revealed that the United States would lift long-standing sanctions on Syria. At the same time, Saudi Arabia pledged to invest $600 billion into the American economy.
Alongside that, the U.S. agreed to a nearly $142 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia. The White House described it as the largest “defense cooperation agreement” ever signed by Washington.
This decision could prove pivotal for Syria. The country has been torn apart by more than a decade of civil war. In December, rebel forces led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa successfully ousted longtime leader Bashar al-Assad. 
A Crown Prince’s Request and a Lighter Tone
Speaking at an investment forum in Riyadh, Trump explained his decision. He said it came in response to a request from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. “Oh, what I do for the crown prince,” Trump joked, prompting laughter from the audience.
He acknowledged that the sanctions had once served a useful purpose. But, in his view, it was now time for Syria to rebuild and move forward.
A Major U.S. Policy Shift Toward Syria
The move marks a significant change in U.S. foreign policy. The U.S. first declared Syria a state sponsor of terrorism in 1979. Sanctions followed in 2004 and intensified further after the civil war erupted in 2011.
On X, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said the decision represented “a new start” for Syria’s reconstruction path. A U.S. official confirmed that Trump would briefly greet President Sharaa in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
Energy, Defense, and Mega-Deals Signed
Trump and Crown Prince bin Salman signed a sweeping agreement. It covers sectors such as energy, defense, mining, and communications.
Trump has long worked to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia. His goal is to improve regional cooperation with Israel and counter Iran’s growing influence.
A White House fact sheet revealed that the deal includes partnerships with over a dozen American defense firms. These involve projects related to air and missile defense, maritime security, space, and military communication systems.
Sources suggested the package may include the advanced Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jet. The Saudi prince hinted the total value could rise to $1 trillion. This would depend on additional agreements in the coming months.
Decades of Oil-for-Arms Alliance
Saudi Arabia remains one of the top buyers of U.S. weapons. The two nations have enjoyed decades of close ties. Their relationship is based on a longstanding exchange—oil from Saudi Arabia, military support from the U.S.
However, tensions escalated after the 2018 murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a U.S.-based Saudi journalist. He was killed by Saudi operatives in Istanbul, sparking international outrage.
U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that bin Salman approved the operation to kill or capture Khashoggi. Still, the Saudi government denied any involvement. During his visit, Trump did not mention the murder. Instead, he referred to bin Salman as “an incredible man.”
A Repeated Denial and Unshaken Praise
Trump doubled down on his support. “I really believe we like each other a lot,” he said of his relationship with the crown prince.
He made no public reference to the Khashoggi killing throughout his meetings in Saudi Arabia.
Investment Tour Heads to Qatar and the UAE
After Riyadh, Trump is scheduled to travel to Qatar on Wednesday and to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday. The focus of his trip is investment, not military alliances.
At the forum, Trump met with several influential business leaders. These included Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and a key figure in government downsizing efforts. Also in attendance were Sam Altman of OpenAI, Larry Fink of BlackRock, and Stephen Schwarzman of Blackstone.
Trump also interacted with high-ranking Saudi officials. These included sovereign wealth fund governor Yasir al-Rumayyan, Aramco CEO Amin Nasser, and investment minister Khalid al-Falih. They presented models for some of the kingdom’s most ambitious megaprojects.
Vision 2030 and NEOM’s Bold Ambitions
Under Crown Prince bin Salman, Saudi Arabia has launched a bold reform program. Known as Vision 2030, it aims to diversify the kingdom’s economy.
A highlight of this initiative is NEOM, a futuristic smart city roughly the size of Belgium. In 2024, oil accounted for 62% of Saudi Arabia’s government revenue. However, falling oil prices and rising project costs have forced the kingdom to scale back some goals.
No Israel Visit, but Hopes for Normalization
Notably, Trump’s itinerary does not include a visit to Israel. This has prompted questions about the country’s role in current U.S. priorities.
Meanwhile, Trump has been urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a new ceasefire agreement. The Gaza conflict, now in its 19th month, continues to strain the region.
Israel’s military operations in Gaza and Lebanon have weakened Iran’s allies, Hamas and Hezbollah. This gives the U.S. more leverage in future talks.
Trump expressed optimism that Saudi Arabia might soon normalize relations with Israel. He noted that several other Arab nations had already done so during his first term. However, he acknowledged that the timing would be up to Saudi Arabia.
Firm Stance Against Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions
On Tuesday, Trump described Iran as “the most destructive force” in the Middle East. He firmly stated that the U.S. would never allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon.
Although he said he was open to a new deal, he emphasized it would require a major shift in Iran’s leadership approach. “I want to make a deal with Iran,” Trump said. “But if they reject this olive branch, we’ll have no choice but to inflict maximum pressure.”
