Global Scans · Saudi Arabia · Weekly Summary

DRIVER: Saudi Arabia could see some tumultuous economic policy changes provoked by the lower oil price era and the emerging challenge from renewable energies. It also faces threats from Middle East turmoil.

• [New] Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have heavily invested in non-oil programmes, including the 2030 Economic Vision of Saudi Arabia, launched by the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2016. Al Jazeera Centre for Studies
• [New] China, having brokered a rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, might even put pressure on Iran to prevent any disruption that could cause energy prices to balloon. ORF Middle East
• [New] Although Saudi Arabia does not possess weapons of mass destruction, Saudi officials have expressed that they will acquire nuclear weapons if their regional rival, Iran, does, according to the Nuclear Threat Initiative, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C. NBC News
• [New] The initial successes of the air campaign, which exceeded expectations, should be used to push through a nuclear deal with Iran, stop the war in Gaza, and go for peace in the wider region, including Saudi Arabia, which would take time and will not be easy but still needs to be done. DAWN.COM
• [New] Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are the only OPEC + members capable of quickly boosting output and could pump around 3.5 million barrels per day more, analysts and industry sources said. MarineLink
• [New] Iran possesses an arsenal of thousands of close-range ballistic missiles and drones that it could launch at American bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Foreign Affairs Magazine
• Iran has already openly threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, even though Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq and Iran all rely on it to ship oil from the Persian Gulf. Keytrade Bank
• Both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have oil pipelines that, to an extent, could serve as alternative trade routes should the Strait of Hormuz become compromised, but their relative capacities would be limited. CBS News
• The United States, together with India, launched a joint land invasion of Iran in March, 2026, with aerial support from Israel, as well as logistical support from Saudi Arabia. Future
• Economic diversification efforts under Vision 2030 are reducing Saudi Arabia's oil dependence and creating new employment opportunities in Jeddah. Sands Of Wealth
• Saudi Arabia has set an ambitious target under Vision 2030 to expand wastewater services and enhance the utilization of treated wastewater. SpringerLink
• The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, like several Middle Eastern nations, faces severe water scarcity exacerbated by climate change and a rapidly growing population, which have threatened the sustainability of water resources and led to the degradation of both renewable and non-renewable resources. SpringerLink
• OPEC production increases may have been a planned move to mitigate war risk and reduce oil price volatility, with Saudi Arabia preemptively increasing production. Dollar Collapse
• Substitution away from oil will feature prominently in power generation during the forecast period - particularly in Saudi Arabia, where displacement of oil burning by natural gas and renewables drives the single largest decline in oil demand for any country through 2030. IEA
• Brazil, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates are expected to witness increasing demand due to expanding healthcare access and rising incidence of chronic illness. Market.us Media
• Saudi Arabia apparently still wants to develop its own uranium resources and may be mindful of the risks posed by a still-uranium-enriching Iran. AGBI
• Dhl Group has announced an investment exceeding 500 million euros in the Middle East between 2024 and 2030, targeting the growing markets of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. TrasportoEuropa
• DHL Group will invest more than €500m (US$578m) in its Middle East operations over the next five years, with a specific focus on Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Parcel and Postal Technology International
• For the Gulf states, a nuclear deal would align their strategy with Washington's Middle East policy, which could then be consecrated in a formal strategic partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia. Foreign Affairs Magazine
• The potential for public-private partnerships in the space sector presents Saudi Arabia with a unique opportunity to leverage expertise and resources from both local and international stakeholders. SpringerLink
• Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 underscores the importance of infrastructure development, economic diversification and sustainability. The Energy Year

Last updated: 07 July 2025