Trump: I told the King of Saudi Arabia he would last 'probably more than two weeks' without U.S. support

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, stated during a campaign speech in Mississippi that he told the King of Saudi Arabia that without U.S. support, he would 'probably last more than two weeks.' Trump's speech was aimed at supporting Republican candidates in various elections across the U.S. He addressed several issues during his speech, including tariffs, economic agreements with U.S. allies, the nuclear deal with Iran, and his remarks to the King of Saudi Arabia. The U.S. President said, 'We protect Saudi Arabia. You say they are rich. And I love the King; King Salman. But I told the King that we protect you, you would probably last more than two weeks without us. You have to pay for your military.' Trump did not provide details about the time and place of this conversation. The U.S. government has a close relationship with the Saudi regime, and Riyadh is considered one of the most important allies of the United States in the Middle East. After Trump's victory in the presidential election, Saudi Arabia was his first foreign destination as President. At that time, the Saudi Foreign Minister stated that this trip would lead to 'increased cooperation between the U.S. and Arab and Muslim countries in the fight against terrorism and extremism' and 'a change in the perception of the U.S. relationship with Arab countries and the Islamic world.' After Trump's withdrawal from the nuclear deal with Iran, he also sought Saudi support to counter market tensions and stabilize oil prices. On October 7, during a phone call with King Salman bin Abdulaziz, the two discussed stability in the oil market and explored ways to maintain exports and support global economic growth. Trump reiterated his support for his administration's withdrawal from the nuclear deal with Iran during another part of his speech in Mississippi. Trump stated, 'I withdrew from the terrible nuclear deal, and Iran is a very different country today.' He added, 'When I became President, I asked how you would stop Iran? No one could say anything. And I withdrew from the nuclear deal.' Trump's administration exited the nuclear deal in May and reinstated the first round of sanctions on Iran in August. Trump has repeatedly criticized the nuclear deal with Iran. In contrast, the Democratic Party and the previous U.S. administration supported this agreement. Other countries involved in negotiations with Iran, namely Britain, Germany, France, China, and Russia, have remained in the JCPOA and emphasize its implementation. The U.S. midterm elections will be held in November this year, with 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 out of 100 Senate seats up for election.