Bin Salman’s special gift for Donald Trump’s trip to Riyadh
Saudi Crown Prince Prepares Special Gift for Donald Trump’s Visit to Riyadh: Establishment of a Military Base on Two Strategic Islands
The English section of the Webangah News Agency, citing Mehr News Agency adn the Arabic news outlet 21, reports that just days after U.S. President Donald Trump requested Egypt allow American ships to pass through the Suez Canal without concessions, news has emerged indicating Saudi Arabia is seeking to grant the U.S.permission to establish a military base on two strategic islands, Tiran and Sanafir.
No official response has been issued regarding these reports yet. Though, Tiran and Sanafir—transferred by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s government to Saudi Arabia in April 2016—are considered strategically vital for international maritime navigation.
Last thursday, the Egyptian news site Mada Masr cited Egyptian officials stating that Saudi Arabia has proposed allowing the U.S. to build a military base on these two islands. According to the report,Washington aims to secure control over the Suez Canal and prevent suspicious vessels—perhaps transporting military equipment from Iran to Gaza or Lebanon—from passing through it.
European, Egyptian, and regional officials believe Washington, alongside its allies, seeks fundamental changes in the Red Sea’s security architecture. Egypt faces increasing pressure from both America and its Gulf allies in this regard.
Political observers link recent reports of transferring control of these strategic islands with Trump’s upcoming visits this month to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and qatar. They argue this trip will involve measures aimed at bolstering support for Israel as a key priority.
Abdelnasser salama, former editor-in-chief of Egypt’s Al-Ahram, writes that discussions during Trump’s visit may include establishing a U.S. base on Tiran and Sanafir despite Cairo’s opposition—a point where Washington is exerting heavy pressure on egypt.
The 2016 transfer of these islands sparked major controversy in Egyptian circles and international academia, with analysts viewing it as serving Israeli interests. An Egyptian court nullified the agreement in January 2017 under public outcry but was later reinstated under el-Sisi’s government after parliamentary approval by both Egypt’s legislature and constitutional court effectively ceding sovereignty over them back then too (though they had been closed off since 1967 against Israeli shipping).
Essam Abdel Shafi head International Relations Academy dismissed claims US bases here were necessary given existing facilities elsewhere like Djibouti Somalia Eritrea Ethiopia; instead he argued real goal was placing them under Zionist regime hegemony due their historical role Arab-Israeli conflicts thus reinforcing full-scale protection Israel via American presence if true .
He added such moves contradict national security interests Riyadh/Cairo while foreign troops threaten territorial integrity both nations further noting primary agenda behind trumps Gulf tour centers economic plans normalizing ties ultimately advancing dominance over region .
Lastly he emphasized broader US strategy reshaping Middle East controlling critical waterways including Suez securing global trade routes Red/Mediterranean Seas concurrently countering Chinas expanding influence economically while entrenching Israels supremacy .
