The Israeli claim that more will be talked about than the WSJ
According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), US officials are cautiously optimistic that details of a deal with Saudi Arabia that will include Israeli normalization can be reached in the next 9-12 months, albeit cautiously. But officials warn that the deal will be difficult to achieve.
Efforts on the issue were reportedly ramped up after US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman two weeks ago.
Negotiators are discussing details of the deal, including requests by the United States to help Riyadh develop a civilian nuclear program and provide strong security guarantees.
The Saudis are said to want “Israel to make significant concessions” to help establish a Palestinian state, while the United States presses Saudi Arabia to impose limits on its developing relations with China.
CHINESE STATEMENT
US officials say Washington may seek assurances from Riyadh that it will not allow China to build a military base in Saudi Arabia, limit its use of technologies developed by China’s Huawei and request the use of US dollars, not Chinese yuan, to set the price. price. oil sale. .
Efforts to end the dispute over oil prices stemming from Saudi Arabia’s production cuts are also on the agenda.
In this context, a senior US official shared the information that there is a work plan to explore the elements of the agreement and test the limits of what is possible.
US officials say that President Joe Biden “has not yet decided what price he is willing to pay” in this regard.
Biden’s approach to the deal is a reflection of his view that the United States must remain a central player in the Middle East to contain Iran, isolate Russia and thwart China’s efforts to supplant Washington’s interests in the region.
On the other hand, it is claimed that Crown Prince bin Salman gives mixed messages to different teams. According to the WSJ, Saudi officials say the crown prince told his aides that the United Arab Emirates is not fully prepared to establish diplomatic relations with Israel, similar to the agreement he signed with Israel in 2020.
THE INTERVIEWS CONTINUE
David Barnea, head of Israel’s foreign intelligence service, Mossad, reportedly held secret meetings in July with senior White House and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officials about the Joe Biden administration’s efforts to reach a compromise. agreement that includes normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel. been driven
US National Security Adviser Sullivan also traveled to Saudi Arabia in July to meet with senior Saudi officials, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The White House reported that Sullivan discussed bilateral and regional issues with bin Salman and Saudi officials, including “initiatives to develop a shared vision for a more peaceful, secure, prosperous, and stable Middle East region connected to the world.”
Prior to the visit, New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman wrote that Biden was grappling with “the possibility of a US-Saudi security deal that would include normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel for a two-state solution.” , as long as Israel makes concessions to the Palestinians. ”
Regarding the allegation, White House National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby stated that they support normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel and a two-state solution on the Israel-Palestinian line, but that it is too soon to say anything about the results. of talks on these topics. (AA)