Saudi Arabia
Follow the latest Saudi Arabia news, videos, and analysis from ABC News.
1 month ago

Saudi Arabia bids for UN human rights spot, as it breaks annual execution record

Saudi Arabia is seeking a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council hoping to reverse its 2020 failure to win a spot on the 47-seat body.
1 month ago
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman speaks at the Shura Council in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Sept. 18, 2024.
2 years ago

Oil prices spike after Saudi Arabia announces production cuts

Plus, the WWE is combining with Endeavor, the owner of UFC, and McDonald's has reportedly temporarily closed its U.S. offices as it prepares to inform employees about layoffs.
2 years ago
VIDEO: Oil prices spike after Saudi Arabia announces production cuts
2 years ago

Saudi death penalty use has almost doubled under rule of MBS: Report

The rate of annual executions has almost doubled since Crown Prince MBS and his father came to power since 2015, according to a new report.
2 years ago
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed Bin Salman attends the Formula-E Race at Diriyah Race Track, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, January 28, 2023.
2 years ago

Biden admin backs Saudi crown prince immunity claims in Khashoggi killing lawsuit

The administration says the ruler is protected due to his position as a government officials -- prime minister.
2 years ago
Saudi Arabia Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud arrives to attend the APEC Leader's Informal Dialogue during the APEC 2022, Nov. 18, 2022, in Bangkok, Thailand.
2 years ago

Biden admin backs Saudi crown prince immunity claims in Khashoggi killing lawsuit

A spokesperson for the State Department defended the move, saying it was "purely a legal determination."
2 years ago
A spokesperson for the State Department defended the move, saying it was "purely a legal determination."
2 years ago

US citizen imprisoned in Saudi Arabia over tweets

Saad Ibrahim Almadi's son speaks with ABC News' Linsey Davis about his fight to free his father, who has been imprisoned in Saudi Arabia because of tweets he published.
2 years ago
In this photo provided by Ibrahim Almadi, Saad Ibrahim Almadi sits in a restaurant in an unidentified place, in the United States, on August 2021. Almadi, 72, who is a citizen of both Saudi Arabia and the U.S., was arrested in Saudi Arabia.
2 years ago

US, Saudis level accusations at each other in wake of OPEC+ production cuts

The Biden White House and Saudi Arabia are leveling accusations at each other in the wake of OPEC production cuts.
2 years ago
President Joe Biden speaks at the Summit on Fire Prevention and Control in the South Court Auditorium on the White House complex in Washington, D.C., Oct. 11, 2022. Biden is reevaluating the U.S. relationship with Saudi Arabia after the Riyadh-led OPEC+ alliance of oil producing nations last week announced it would cut oil production and as Democratic lawmakers call for a freeze on cooperation with the Saudis.
2 years ago

Biden thinks US needs to 'reevaluate' relationship with Saudi Arabia: White House

President Joe Biden thinks the United States needs to "reevaluate" its relationship with Saudi Arabia, the White House said.
2 years ago
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman fist bumps President Joe Biden upon his arrival at Al Salman Palace, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, July 15, 2022.
2 years ago

Murphy, other Dems call for 'consequences' for Saudi Arabia over oil production cut

Chris Murphy and other Democrats are calling for changes in U.S. ties to Saudi Arabia after OPEC+ decided to significantly cut oil production later this year
2 years ago
Sen. Chris Murphy speaks to reporters outside of the Senate Chambers of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, June 21, 2022.
2 years ago

Biden says he raised Khashoggi murder with Saudi crown prince

President Joe Biden said Friday he raised the murder of dissident Jamal Khashoggi with Saudi Arabia's de-facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
2 years ago
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman fist bumps President Joe Biden upon his arrival at Al Salman Palace, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, July 15, 2022.
2 years ago

Biden takes controversial high stakes meeting with Saudi Arabia

The president met one-on-one with leaders from Iraq, Egypt and United Arab Emirates before attending the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit as he pushed for an increase in oil production.
2 years ago
VIDEO: Biden takes controversial high stakes meeting with Saudi Arabia
2 years ago

President Biden heads to Saudi Arabia on his Middle East Tour

ABC News deputy political director Averi Harper discusses the latest on President Biden’s Middle East tour as he heads to Saudi Arabia to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.
2 years ago
VIDEO: President Biden heads to Saudi Arabia on his Middle East Tour
2 years ago

Biden fist bumps Saudi’s crown prince

President Joe Biden greeted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with a fist bump after arriving in Saudi Arabia.
2 years ago
President Joe Biden greeted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with a fist bump after arriving in Saudi Arabia.
2 years ago

Saudi Arabia opens its airspace, ending a ban on flights to and from Israel

ABC News deputy political director Averi Harper on President Biden landing in Saudi Arabia and his plan to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.
2 years ago
VIDEO: Saudi Arabia opens its airspace, ending a ban on flights to and from Israel
2 years ago

Biden meets with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman

President Joe Biden is expected to push the Saudis to boost the flow of oil from their country to try to help ease gas prices in the U.S.
2 years ago
VIDEO: Biden meets with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman
2 years ago

President Biden’s 2nd leg of his high-stakes tour of the Middle East

ABC News deputy political director Averi Harper discusses the latest on President Biden’s Middle East tour.
2 years ago
VIDEO: President Biden’s 2nd leg of his high-stakes tour of the Middle East
2 years ago

Warnings of Saudi 'execution crisis' ahead of Biden visit

In statements shared with ABC News, the families of those who died in Saudi Arabia's mass execution in March expressed concerns about U.S. President Joe Biden's trip.
2 years ago
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attending the Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh, Oct. 24, 2017.
2 years ago

Question over handshake symbolizes Biden's awkward approach to Saudi Arabia

The White House has refused to say if President Joe Biden will shake hands with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
2 years ago
President Joe Biden is shown at an event in Washington, D.C., on July 11, 2022. | Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attends a ceremony in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Oct. 14, 2019.
3 years ago

Saudi Arabia's human rights record may be ignored over need for cheap oil, groups say

A record 81 people were executed in Saudi Arabia on March 12.
3 years ago
A Saudi national flag flies in the capital Riyadh, Sept. 22, 2020.
3 years ago

Top general explains his visit to Saudi Arabia

The U.S. has deterred Iranian aggression on Saudi Arabia.
3 years ago
VIDEO: Top general explains his visit to Saudi Arabia
4 years ago

Amid airstrikes, rebel offensive, Saudis offer peace initiative to end war in Yemen

Amid airstrikes and a rebel offensive, Saudi Arabia on Monday offered a peace initiative to end the war in Yemen.
4 years ago
A Yemeni boy looks at smoke billowing above a neighborhood following Saudi-led airstrikes targeting positions in Sana'a, Yemen, March 7, 2021. The Saudi-led coalition's warplanes waged a series of airstrikes on positions across Yemen, including the capital Sana'a.
4 years ago

'(Biden) missed opportunity to rethink the alliance' with Saudi Arabia: Fred Hiatt

George Stephanopoulos interviews Washington Post editorial page editor Fred Hiatt.
4 years ago
VIDEO: 1-on-1 with Washington Post editorial page editor Fred Hiatt
4 years ago

Sand covers snow after storm in Saudi Arabia

Stunning footage shows snow and sand in the desert near the Tabuk region.
4 years ago
Stunning footage shows snow and sand in the desert near the Tabuk region.
4 years ago

Saudi women's activist Loujain al-Hathloul released from prison after 1001 days

Saudi women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul was released from prison on Wednesday, but advocates warn she is still not completely free.
4 years ago
FILE PHOTO: Saudi women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul is seen in this undated handout picture.
4 years ago

Biden reviews US relations with Saudi Arabia amid pressure over Khashoggi killing

As President Joe Biden reviews U.S.-Saudi relations, pressure rises to remake ties over Khashoggi killing, Yemen war
4 years ago
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal welcomes Vice President Joe Biden at the Riyadh airbase, Oct. 27, 2011, upon his arrival in the Saudi capital with an official delegation to offer condolences to the King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz following the death of his brother, Crown Prince Sultan.
4 years ago

Pompeo says 'full' vindication, but IG report finds fault with Saudi arms sales

The report from the State Department's beleaguered Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has been highly anticipated.
4 years ago
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a news conference at the State Department in Washington, D.C., July 1, 2020.
4 years ago

Saudi Arabia holds socially distanced hajj in Mecca

A severely limited number of pilgrims begin hajj rituals with COVID-19 control measures in place in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
4 years ago
Saudi Arabia holds socially distanced hajj in Mecca
5 years ago

On anniversary of Saudi mass execution, families plead for return of their loved ones

It has been a year since 37 people were executed on a single day in Saudi Arabia. Advocates say their bodies have not been returned to family.
5 years ago
In this March 22, 2018 file photo, an Honor Guard member is covered by the flag of Saudi Arabia.
5 years ago

Saudi women's driving activist on trial almost 2 years after ban was lifted

The trial of Loujain al-Hathloul, 30, held its first open hearing in Riyadh today. She campaigned to overturn the ban on women's driving.
5 years ago
Saudi women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul is seen in this undated handout picture.
5 years ago

Touring US troops in Saudi Arabia, Pompeo touts pressure on Iran amid high tensions

Ahead of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's latest visit to Saudi Arabia, top lawmakers urged him to raise the case an American citizen who has been reportedly tortured.
5 years ago
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrives at the King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital Riyadh, Feb. 19, 2020.
5 years ago

Saudi foreign minister dismisses Bezo hacking allegations

He said it was "absurd" that the U.N. was accusing the crown prince of hacking the Amazon founder in May 2018 through Whatsapp.
5 years ago
VIDEO: Saudi foreign minister dismisses Bezo hacking allegations
5 years ago

Saudi Arabia executed record number of prisoners in 2019: Report

Saudi Arabia executed record number of prisoners in 2019, a year which saw the kingdom come under scrutiny for its human rights record.
5 years ago
A handout picture provided by the Saudi Royal Palace on Nov. 20, 2019, shows Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman upon his arrival to attend the annual speech of the Saudi King at the shura council, a top advisory body, in the capital Riyadh.
5 years ago

Clash on the Dunes: Saudi Arabia fights to overcome criticism with heavyweight bout

Saturday's highly anticipated rematch for the heavyweight champion of the world will take place in a location that has shocked fans and caused controversy: Saudi Arabia.
5 years ago
Mexican-American heavyweight boxing champion Andy Ruiz Jr (L) and British heavyweight boxing challenger Anthony Joshua pose during the official weigh-in at Diriyah in the Saudi capital Riyadh, on December 6, 2019, ahead of the upcoming "Clash on the Dunes".
5 years ago

US deploying thousands of troops to Saudi Arabia: Pentagon

The United States is deploying thousands of additional U.S. forces to Saudi Arabia in the aftermath of Iran's attack on Saudi oil facilities in September.
5 years ago
US deploying thousands of troops to Saudi Arabia: Pentagon
5 years ago

Thousands of US troops deploying to Saudi Arabia: Pentagon

The United States is deploying thousands of additional U.S. forces to Saudi Arabia in the aftermath of the Iran's attack on Saudi oil facilities in September.
5 years ago
A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle descends after receiving fuel from a KC-10 Extender, assigned to the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, out of Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, above an undisclosed location, Sept. 1, 2019.
5 years ago

President Trump deploys additional troops to Saudi Arabia

The president’s decision was made in response to recent attacks against a Saudi oil refinery.
5 years ago
VIDEO: President Trump deploys additional troops to Saudi Arabia
5 years ago

Mike Pompeo heading to Saudi Arabia to 'coordinate' response to Saudi oil attack

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is heading to Saudi Arabia to "coordinate" response to Saudi oil attack.
5 years ago
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo listens as President Donald Trump meets with Bahrain Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House, Sept. 16, 2019.
5 years ago

For minor crimes, 3 Saudi men face beheading and ‘crucifixion’

Ali al-Nimr, Abdullah al-Zaher, and Dawood al-Marhoon, were sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia after the Arab Spring protests.
5 years ago
Ali al-Nimr, Abdullah al-Zaher and Dawood al-Marhoon, are pictured in undated handout photos.  They have all been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia.
5 years ago

Little hope for Saudi women since driving ban was lifted

A year after Saudi Arabia's women won the right to drive, life hasn't improved.
5 years ago
A Saudi trainer gives a driving lesson to a female trainee at the Saudi Driving School (SDS), in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on June 24, 2019.
5 years ago

Republicans join Democrats to rebuke Trump's 'emergency' $8B arms sale to Saudis

Congress moves ahead with plans to block Trump's $8 billion arms deal with Saudis, Emiratis after grilling a State Department official on the decision to bypass them.
5 years ago
President Donald Trump poses for a photo with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud of Saudi Arabia in the Oval Office at the White House, March 20, 2018, in Washington.
5 years ago

4 Saudi oil tankers targeted in Persian Gulf amid tension with Iran

The incident came just days after the U.S. warned commercial vessels that Iran could target sea traffic; there is no evidence Iran was involved.
5 years ago
VIDEO: 4 Saudi oil tankers targeted in Persian Gulf amid tension with Iran
5 years ago

2 Saudi oil tankers attacked off United Arab Emirates coast

Saudi Arabia claims the two ships were targeted in "sabotage operations."
5 years ago
VIDEO: 2 Saudi oil tankers attacked off United Arab Emirates coast
5 years ago

2 Saudi Arabia oil tankers 'sabotaged'

ABC News' Martha Raddatz reports on what the attack off the coast of the United Arab Emirates could mean for global oil supplies.
5 years ago
VIDEO: 2 Saudi Arabia oil tankers 'sabotaged'
6 years ago

Incredible timelapse of moon setting in Saudi Arabia

Timelapse captures shadows the setting moon cast in Saudi Arabia and a view of the stars above the Sharaan mountains.
6 years ago
Timelapse captures shadows the setting moon cast in Saudi Arabia and a view of the stars above the Sharaan mountains.
6 years ago

Saudi prince's trip to China highlighted by $10 billion petrochemical deal

China was the last stop on the Saudi Prince’s economic goodwill tour of Asia.
6 years ago
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman poses for camera during his visit to Great Wall of China in Beijing, Feb. 21, 2019.
6 years ago

Senator asks White House for answers to help bring alleged killer back to the US

The Saudi government is believed to have helped a student accused of killing a Portland teenager escape back to Saudi Arabia.
6 years ago
VIDEO: Senator asks White House for answers to help bring alleged killer back to the US
6 years ago

Saudi man charged with hit-and-run flees the US

Federal officials believe the Saudi government helped him escape.
6 years ago
VIDEO: Saudi man charged with hit-and-run flees the US
6 years ago

Pompeo, Mattis to brief Senate amid push to punish Saudis over Khashoggi, Yemen

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary James Mattis will brief the Senate Wednesday on Saudi Arabia and Yemen, amid calls to penalize the Saudis.
6 years ago
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo shakes hands with the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 16, 2018.
6 years ago

Though Khashoggi didn't suspect he may be in danger, he was still apprehensive

Jamal Khashoggi's fiancee told ABC News about her last days with her fiancee.
6 years ago
Hatice Cengiz, fiancee of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, is seen during an interview with Reuters in London, Oct. 29, 2018.
6 years ago

Friend of Jamal Khashoggi: Journalist killed in 'a barbaric way'

The friend shared what Turkish security officials had told him of the journalist who disappeared after entering a Saudi consulate.
6 years ago
VIDEO: Friend of Jamal Khashoggi: Journalist killed in 'a barbaric way'