Saudi Gazette report

WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he has formally designated Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally.

The declaration came hours after Trump met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House, where the Crown Prince pledged to increase Saudi investments in the United States from $600 billion to $1 trillion.

“The move would deepen military cooperation and strengthen one of Washington’s closest partnerships in the Middle East,” Trump said.

Trump confirmed that the U.S. will sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, a step that would make the Kingdom the first country in the Middle East — aside from Israel — to acquire the advanced aircraft.

“A stronger and more capable alliance will advance the interests of both countries, and it will serve the highest interest of peace,” Trump said during a dinner held in honor of the Crown Prince.

Trump added that he had “kept a little secret for tonight,” revealing the new designation publicly for the first time.

He also said the two sides signed a “historic strategic defense agreement” earlier in the day.