Threats to Grand Plans Sent Saudi Prince to Seek Iran Deal
- Saudi prince sped up talks to protect economic ambitions
- Riyadh reached out to China for help amid frictions with US
Mohammed bin Salman welcomes Xi Jinping to Riyadh, in 2022.
Source: Royal Court of Saudi Arabia/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
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Whether fixing ties with Iran or reaching out to Israel, Mohammed bin Salman has one top priority: ensuring his multi-trillion-dollar vision to transform Saudi Arabia stays on track.
Yet the crown prince’s plans to remodel his kingdom’s economy, society and its place in the world all rest on stability. And that’s driving his efforts to shield his country from any possible escalation in Israel’s confrontation with Iran, according to people with knowledge of Saudi Arabia’s formal talks with Iran, which started two years ago.