US President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed a wide-ranging strategic economic partnership agreement in Jeddah yesterday. The deal covers multiple sectors, including a huge arms deal worth nearly 142 billion dollars. Agreements also include significant Saudi investments in artificial intelligence, energy production, and healthcare. President Trump began a four-day tour of the Middle East, starting with a visit to Saudi Arabia yesterday.

Trump also reaffirmed his commitment to expanding the Abraham Accords, an initiative he launched during his first term to normalise diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab countries. The US President also announced the lifting of sanctions on Syria that were imposed during the rule of ousted President Bashar al-Assad. He described the move as a step toward giving the war-torn nation a renewed opportunity for peace.