Saudi Arabia has suspended plans to normalize relations with Israel amid the latter’s ongoing war with Palestinian Hamas militants, Reuters reported on Oct. 13. Backed by the U.S., the normalization deal would have been a diplomatic coup for Washington and a strategic blow to Iran.
Prior to Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, Saudi Arabia and Israel were drawing close to a deal that would have seen the Sunni kingdom recognize the Jewish state, with Saudi Arabia gaining a defense pact with the U.S. and more advanced American weapons in exchange, although the White House stressed that the precise terms had yet to be worked out.
