Geopolitical Briefing: Saudi Arabia
14 August 2025
- Saudi Arabia emerges as a mediator as Ukrainian President Zelenskiy appeals to Crown Prince MBS for international support in peace efforts.
- A Saudi-Iran diplomatic continuity: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Jeddah meeting with Iran's FM reinforced bilateral dialogue amid regional tensions.
- At the U.N., Saudi and France advanced a high-profile declaration calling for tangible steps toward a two-state solution—without U.S. or Israeli buy-in.
- Syria deepens ties with Riyadh: 44 reconstruction and cooperation agreements valued at nearly $6 billion were signed last month.
- The U.S. presented Lebanon with a plan to disarm Hezbollah by year-end—a development with potential regional repercussions involving Saudi strategic posture.
Saudi Arabia played a consequential diplomatic role as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, alongside Indian Prime Minister Modi, seeking support ahead of U.S.–Russia negotiations. Zelenskiy urged Saudi intervention to limit Russian oil exports and bolster Ukraine’s stance in peace negotiations. This reflects Saudi Arabia’s positioning as a mediator amid global crises. (Reuters, Reuters, Reuters, Reuters, Reuters)
Diplomacy with Iran continues to deepen. On 8 July, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in Jeddah—the first such visit amid Iran’s air campaign against Israel. Discussions focused on regional security and signaled sustained rapprochement. (Reuters)
Saudi Arabia remains a leading voice in the Palestinian cause. On 29 July, Riyadh and Paris jointly advanced a U.N. declaration urging for tangible, time-bound actions toward a two-state solution—calling for an end to the Gaza conflict. The U.S. and Israel notably boycotted the initiative, accentuating Saudi leadership in Palestinian diplomacy. (Reuters)
Syrian reconstruction ties deepen. On 23 July, Syria signed 44 agreements worth nearly $6 billion with Saudi Arabia, covering areas such as infrastructure and governance. This follows Riyadh’s broader strategy of normalizing relations and expanding influence in post-Assad Syria. (Reuters)
Lebanon’s internal dynamics may be shifting, with U.S. presentation of a plan to disarm Hezbollah by year-end. Though primarily U.S.-driven, such developments resonate across the region, potentially affecting Saudi’s balancing of Iranian influence and regional stability.
