Saudi Arabia - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Saudi Arabia cover image

Saudi Arabia

September 3, 2026

Riyadh 3:30 pm

41°C

A commercial vessel passes through an international shipping lane off Yemen's Hanish Island in the Red Sea on July 27, 2026.

Saudi oil exports hit nine-year low as tanker attacks threaten recovery

The country’s oil exports were around 3 million barrels per day in August.

Mecca Alliance

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan set Mecca Alliance into motion

The three countries are moving to formalize military coordination under the newly named Mecca Alliance amid renewed hostilities between Iran and the US.

Latest News

Iraq reinforces Saudi border security amid militia tensions: What to know

Iraqi army troops patrol the Iraq-Saudi Arabia border

Samuel Wendel

Senior Analyst, Middle East Business & Tech

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Jack Dutton

Chief Business Correspondent

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Vanessa Ghanem

In Dubai, reporting on business, energy and politics

ARLINGTON, VA - MARCH 22: U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis (L) welcomes Crown Prince Of Saudi Arabia Mohammad Bin Salman (R) during an enhanced honor cordon March 22, 2018 at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman is on a visit in Washington. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Pentagon chief presses for end to Yemen war in meeting with Saudi prince

US Defense Secretary James Mattis called on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to “accelerate” a peaceful end to the war in Yemen even as Mattis lobbies Congress not to terminate US support for Riyadh’s air campaign against the Houthis.

A Houthi militant holds a blood-stained garment at the site of a Saudi-led air strike, north of Yemen's capital Sanaa, March 8, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed al-Sayaghi - RC1D17254740

Iran looms large as Congress casts Yemen war vote

The Senate voted on US support for the Saudi-led war against the Houthis for the first time since the war began three years ago.

U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S. March 20, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst - RC1B9C971E60

Iran, Saudi Arabia in war of words over allegations of aiding al-Qaeda

Iranian officials have once again strongly dismissed Saudi charges that Tehran is aiding al-Qaeda.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani delivers remarks at a news conference during the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, U.S. September 20, 2017. REUTERS/Stephanie Keith - RC1D88E5F060

If Trump will meet with Kim, why not Rouhani?

The White House could signal to Saudi leader Mohammed bin Salman that the time has come to give diplomacy a chance to end the wars in Yemen and Syria.

Saudi Arabia looks to expand its footprint in Iraq

Following decades of setbacks and years of a rift, Saudi Arabia's rapprochement with Iraq and its support for stability there is accelerating, in what is deemed to be a fundamental change in the relations between the two countries.

The path to a nuclear-free Middle East

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should understand that he cannot forge a unified front with Saudi Arabia against the Iran-led Shiite axis while thwarting Saudi plans for commercial nuclear energy.

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 13: Central Intelligence Agency Director Mike Pompeo testifies before the Senate Intelligence Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill February 13, 2018 in Washington, DC. The intelligence chiefs were called to testify to the committee about 'world wide threats.' (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

State Department shake-up leaves Qatar hanging

President Trump’s ouster of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson knocks out a leading champion for resolving the monthslong Qatar crisis in the Persian Gulf.

Saudi soldiers stand in line at an airfield where Saudi military cargo planes land to deliver aid in Marib, Yemen January 26, 2018. Picture taken January 26, 2018. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser - RC1D0C8D9D00

No end to Yemen war in sight as Saudi Arabia, Iran lock horns

The war in Yemen drags on even as it continues to bleed Saudi Arabia while increasing international pressure on Iran.

A view of cranes, damaged by air strikes, at the container terminal of the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Yemen November 30, 2017. REUTERS/Abduljabbar Zeyad - RC1FAA3EE280

Senate fissure opens up over ending Yemen war

Traditional centrists are pushing back against bipartisan efforts to stop US support for the Saudi coalition.

Saudi crown prince comes to Washington

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is coming to Washington to shore up support at a time when the situation at home and in the United States is more complicated than ever.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman visit the Suez Canal at the city of Ismailia, Egypt, March 5, 2018, in this handout picture courtesy of the Egyptian Presidency. The Egyptian Presidency/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY - RC18F7347430

Iran dismisses Saudi talk of 'triangle of evil' as 'childish'

Iran’s Foreign Ministry accused Saudi Arabia of making accusations against Iran to hide its own failures in Yemen.

Smoke rises after an airstrike on the military site in Sanaa, Yemen January 11, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed al-Sayaghi - RC142F21CA80

US still pouring weapons into Yemen war

The United States sold Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates more than $650 million in weapons last year for their war against the Houthis, according to a new report.