Saudi Crown Prince Expresses Growing Proximity to Normalization with Israel

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has stated that his country is moving closer to reaching a normalization deal with Israel, marking the first public acknowledgment of the process. Talks between the Biden administration and Saudi Arabia have been ongoing, and a deal would be a significant foreign policy victory for the US president and could enhance Israel's acceptance in the Muslim world. MBS expressed the importance of solving the Palestinian issue and seeing Israel as a player in the Middle East. He also discussed the kingdom's relationship with Iran and its potential pursuit of a nuclear weapon. Additionally, MBS hinted at seeking other security partners if the US does not meet its requirements in the Israeli normalization talks.