Saudi FM Visits U.S. to Plan Trump’s Middle East Trip Amid Regional Tensions

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud arrived in Washington this week for high-level talks with U.S. officials, ahead of President Donald Trump’s expected visit to the kingdom this spring. The visit is aimed at coordinating Trump’s first overseas trip of his second term, which is set to include stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.

Prince Faisal met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday, discussing key Middle East issues including the conflicts in Gaza, Yemen, Sudan, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, according to the Saudi foreign ministry. The meeting comes amid growing international concern over Trump’s controversial proposal for U.S. control over Gaza—a plan that has faced global criticism, including from Saudi Arabia.

The foreign minister is also expected to address the status of Yemen’s Houthi rebels, a group backed by Iran and currently facing U.S. airstrikes in response to attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes. These airstrikes mark the largest U.S. military action in the region since Trump returned to office in January.

Although the diplomatic trip was planned before Washington’s recent tariff hike, the economic implications remain significant. Trump's tariff measures have shaken global markets and triggered fears of a downturn that could impact oil prices—Saudi Arabia's key export.

On Monday, Trump met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House and expressed his hope for a near-term resolution to the Gaza conflict.

With mounting regional tensions and high-stakes diplomacy underway, the planned Saudi-U.S. investment deal signals continued strategic alignment between Riyadh and Washington despite complex geopolitical dynamics.