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| Saudi Arabian foreign relations | |
|---|---|
| Name | Saudi Arabia |
| Native name | المملكة العربية السعودية |
| Capital | Riyadh |
| Leader | Mohammed bin Salman |
| Established | 1932 |
| Population | 35 million |
| Area km2 | 2,149,690 |
| Currency | Saudi riyal |
Saudi Arabian foreign relations Saudi Arabia maintains an extensive network of bilateral, regional, and multilateral engagements centered on Riyadh's strategic interests, energy diplomacy, and religious significance. Its external policy reflects interactions with regional actors such as Iran, Iraq, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen, alongside relationships with global powers including the United States, China, and Russia. Saudi foreign relations are shaped by historical events like the Arab–Israeli conflict, the 1973 oil embargo, and the discovery of oil fields such as Ghawar Field.
From the 18th-century rise of the First Saudi State and the Second Saudi State through the foundation of the modern kingdom by Abdulaziz ibn Saud, Saudi external orientation has been influenced by dynastic consolidation and Wahhabi ties to Al Diriyah. The kingdom's modern diplomatic posture evolved after the 1938 discovery of oil in Dammam, leading to partnerships with companies like Standard Oil of California and states such as United Kingdom and United States. Cold War alignments involved engagement with NATO, responses to the Iranian Revolution of 1979, and participation in the Gulf War coalition against Iraq following the Invasion of Kuwait. Saudi policy has also intersected with transnational currents embodied by Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the legacy of the Suez Crisis, and relations with decolonizing states including Egypt under Gamal Abdel Nasser.
Riyadh maintains embassies and diplomatic missions across continents, sustaining ties with countries like the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, and Brazil. Bilateral security and economic partnerships include defense cooperation with United States Central Command partners and energy agreements with China National Petroleum Corporation affiliates. Saudi diplomacy engages monarchies such as Jordan and Morocco and republics like Turkey and Pakistan while navigating tensions with Lebanon factions and episodic disputes with Canada and Ethiopia. High-level visits and state agreements often involve leaders like Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Imran Khan.
Saudi leadership plays a central role in the Gulf Cooperation Council alongside Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Riyadh has pursued collective security initiatives, mediated disputes such as the Qatar diplomatic crisis (2017–2021), and coordinated policies during the Yemen Civil War and tensions with Iran. The kingdom's regional posture has been expressed via mechanisms like the Peninsula Shield Force and coordination with Arab League summits, while engaging in maritime security in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea corridors.
Saudi relations with the United States have encompassed arms sales with manufacturers like Lockheed Martin and energy diplomacy with companies such as ExxonMobil. Engagements with China feature strategic investments by China Investment Corporation and projects under the Belt and Road Initiative. With Russia, Riyadh has cooperated in OPEC+ production adjustments alongside firms like Rosneft. Relations with European Union members, notably the United Kingdom and France, involve trade, intelligence sharing with agencies such as MI6 and DGSE, and discussions over human rights raised in forums featuring European Parliament delegates.
Saudi diplomacy has been active in attempts to resolve the Israeli–Palestinian conflict through engagement with Palestine Liberation Organization, and interactions with mediators like United Nations envoys. Riyadh has participated indirectly in talks over Syrian Civil War developments alongside United States and Turkey initiatives, and led coalitions against Houthi movement actions in Yemen while coordinating with United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. The kingdom's role in Lebanese politics has intersected with actors such as Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, while engagement in Iraqi reconstruction linked to United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq efforts.
Energy diplomacy centered on Saudi Aramco, OPEC, and OPEC+ frameworks underpins bilateral and multilateral ties, influencing markets alongside International Monetary Fund consultations. Riyadh's investment strategy through Public Investment Fund has financed projects in United States, United Kingdom, China, and Japan, and supported initiatives like NEOM in partnerships with multinational firms. Development assistance and humanitarian aid have been delivered to Sudan, Somalia, Pakistan, and Lebanon via agencies and NGOs, and through contributions to World Food Programme operations during crises.
Saudi defense cooperation includes procurement from United States Department of Defense suppliers, joint exercises with United States Central Command, and security ties with United Kingdom Ministry of Defence and French Armed Forces. Arms transfers have involved systems from Raytheon Technologies, BAE Systems, and Dassault Aviation, while interoperability initiatives engage NATO partners and regional forces such as Egypt Armed Forces and Jordan Armed Forces. Counterterrorism collaboration has linked Riyadh with International Coalition against ISIL, Interpol, and intelligence services addressing groups like Al-Qaeda and ISIS.
Riyadh participates in the United Nations, holds membership in G20 and coordinates within Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation. It contributes to climate and energy dialogues at Conference of the Parties summits and engages in global finance discussions at World Bank and International Monetary Fund meetings. Saudi involvement in peacekeeping, humanitarian funds, and forums such as Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and Non-Aligned Movement reflect its global diplomatic footprint.