US nominates new envoy to Saudi Arabia
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has nominated Republican congressman Wesley Hunt, a US Army veteran, as his new ambassador to Saudi Arabia – a post that had been left vacant amid the war with Iran. Hunt’s nomination was sent Monday to the US Senate, which must vote on his confirmation. “Having served in the region both in combat as an Army officer and for two years as a diplomatic liaison…
The United States has nominated Republican Congressman Wesley Hunt, a US Army veteran, to serve as the new ambassador to Saudi Arabia, a position that had remained vacant due to the ongoing conflict with Iran. Hunt's nomination was submitted to the US Senate on Monday, with the body required to vote on his confirmation. In a post on social media platform X, Hunt expressed his understanding of the strategic significance of the US-Saudi Arabia relationship and the weight of the responsibilities associated with the role.
The timing of Hunt's nomination is particularly sensitive for Saudi Arabia, a crucial ally of the United States, following recent attacks by Iran-backed Houthis on Saudi soil. These attacks have opened a new front in the Middle East conflict, as the Houthi group has recently seized control of Yemen's Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a vital waterway for global oil trade. The Houthis have also targeted Saudi oil installations, causing crude oil prices to surpass the $100 per barrel mark.
Previously, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had requested Trump to authorize strikes against the Houthis in Yemen. However, President Trump declined to make such an order, according to reports from Axios.
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