Saudi Arabia: Relations between the US and Saudi Arabia have soured after OPEC Plus decided to cut oil production. America says that this decision of OPEC Plus will benefit Russia, which is wreaking havoc in Ukraine. However, Saudi Arabia, which dominates OPEC Plus, has also issued clarifications on its behalf. Meanwhile, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s cousin, Saud Al Shalan, has threatened the West without naming the US.
A video of Prince Saud Al Shalan, cousin of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), is going viral on social media. In the video, Prince Saeed is seen telling the West, ‘Whoever challenges the existence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we are all destined for jihad and martyrdom. This is for all those who think they can threaten us.
According to Abdullah, a Saudi human rights lawyer, Saud al-Shalan, who has challenged jihad in Western countries, is the grandson of Saudi Arabia’s founder, King Abdulaziz. This statement by Saud Al Shalan comes at a time when the US continues to criticize Saudi Arabia’s decision to cut oil production.
Saudi Arabia did not do what America thought
In fact, America is upset with OPEC Plus’ decision to cut oil production. The US was in constant talks with Saudi Arabia to increase oil production. America was afraid that if oil production would decrease due to what was going on in the world, the price of crude oil would start to skyrocket. US President Joe Biden arrived in Saudi Arabia in the year 2022, ignoring the assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. where Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman hosted him. Mohammed bin Salman is accused of killing Jamal Khashoggi.
From the visit to Saudi Arabia, Joe Biden fully hoped that Saudi Arabia, which has a significant share in OPEC Plus, would not approve the decision to cut oil production. But contrary to Biden’s thinking, OPEC Plus decided to cut oil production by 2 million barrels per day. America has been upset with Saudi Arabia since the OPEC Plus decision.
America has even said that this decision will have consequences. Along with this, Saudi Arabia was also accused that this decision has been taken to benefit Russia. Some US lawmakers also advised Saudi Arabia to stop supplying weapons. However, after the strict statements of America, Saudi Arabia also presented an explanation. Saudi Arabia completely denied all these allegations. At the same time, Saudi Arabia said that this decision of OPEC Plus is purely economic. Saudi said that if this decision was not taken, its negative impact will be seen in the future.