Trump seeks to stem uncertainty in Saudi Arabia

The Trump administration is intervening to put a swift end to various tensions involving Saudi Arabia in order for Washington to work more easily with Riyadh on mutual goals, particularly weapons flowing out of Iran.

“The state of uncertainty is not serving anyone but Hezbollah and its allies,” an administration official told The Wall Street Journal. “The longer it goes on, the worse it is for Saudi interests and U.S. interests and the interest of our friends.”

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Trouble in the region began to brew earlier this month when Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri suddenly resigned from his post during a televised address from Riyadh, sparking global concerns that the leader could have been held against his will. 

Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah jumped to claim that Saudi Arabia had declared war on Lebanon, and accused the country of detaining Hariri.

However, Saudi Arabia said that Lebanon and Hezbollah had declared war on Riyadh, and called for it citizens to leave the country. 

The White House press secretary reaffirmed U.S. support for Hariri. 

“Prime Minister Sa’ad Hariri has been a trusted partner of the United States in strengthening Lebanese institutions, fighting terrorism, and protecting refugees,” Sarah Huckabee Sanders said. “The United States firmly reiterates that the Lebanese Armed Forces and other Lebanese state security forces are the only legitimate security authorities in Lebanon.”

President Trump last month approved a missile defense system deal, allowing Riyadh to purchase as much as $15 billion in launchers, missiles, radar and technology in order to respond to external threats.  

The White House has expressed its desire to curb Iran’s weapon supply, and their flow to Iranian allies throughout the Middle East, which include Houthi fighters in Yemen and Hezbollah in Yemen. 

The spread of weapons to these groups, which are considered adversaries to Saudi Arabia, has sparked concern among the administration and Saudi Arabia.