Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Iranian Red Crescent: Three personnel martyred, 29 injured in Israeli aggression
IRGC: We have identified and monitored the departure points of the US aircraft that carried out the aggression
IRGC: America has neither the initiative nor the ability to escape the consequences of a powerful response
IRGC: We strongly affirm that Iran's peaceful nuclear technology cannot be destroyed by any attack
Iran's IRGC: Washington has placed itself directly on the frontline of aggression by attacking peaceful facilities
Iran's IRGC: The number, scope, and size of US military bases in the region are not a point of strength, but rather a point of weakness
Tasnim News Agency: Iran's Fordow nuclear facility was only partially damaged by US strikes
UK trade minister Reynolds: We were not involved in Iran attacks but we were informed
Senior Iranian source to Reuters: The number of personnel at the Fordow site had been reduced to a minimum
Senior Iranian source to Reuters: Most of the highly enriched uranium at Fordow was moved to an undisclosed location prior to US attack

US, Saudi Arabia, others, to discuss Middle East railway project

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 7 May 2023 12:35
4 Min Read

Sources say White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, who is slated to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, will meet with his Saudi, Emirati, and Indian counterparts on Sunday to discuss the project and other regional concerns.

  • x
  • US, Saudi Arabia, others, to discuss Middle East railway project
    Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and U.S. President Joe Biden meet at Al Salman Palace upon his arrival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, July 15, 2022.(Reuters)

National security advisors from the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and India are expected to meet on Sunday to discuss a possible major joint infrastructure project to connect Gulf and Arab countries via a network of railways that would also be linked to India via shipping lanes from ports in the region, according to two sources with direct knowledge of the plan.

As China's influence in the region rises, the project is one of the primary objectives the White House wants to drive in the Middle East. The region is also a main component of China's Belt and Road Initiative.

According to the two sources, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, who is slated to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, will meet with his Saudi, Emirati, and Indian counterparts on Sunday to discuss the project and other regional concerns.

Read more: West Asia slowly pivots from US: Syria, Saudi Arabia to restore ties

One US official said the project would be one of several issues covered during the visit and a second official said Sullivan will address the condition of the bilateral relationship between Saudi Arabia and the US, regional challenges, and the likelihood of future reconciliation measures between Saudi Arabia and "Israel" with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other Saudi officials.

According to the two individuals, the concept for the new project arose through discussions held over the previous 18 months in another group dubbed I2U2, founded in late 2021 to debate key infrastructure projects in the Middle East, which comprises the US, "Israel", the United Arab Emirates, and India.

'About China from day one'

An Israeli official who was involved in the early talks told Axios, “Nobody said it out loud but it was about China from day one.

Related News

US bases across region are point of vulnerability, not strength: IRGC

Iran warns of NPT withdrawal, Strait of Hormuz closure after US attack

During the I2U2 talks over the last year, "Israel" proposed the concept of linking the area via trains. According to the former Israeli official, "part of the idea was to use India's expertise on such large infrastructure projects.

In recent months, the Biden administration has expanded on the concept of including Saudi Arabia's participation.

Read next: Diplomacy between Saudi Arabia, Iran, could isolate "Israel"

According to the sources, the proposal would entail connecting Arab countries in the Levant and the Gulf with a network of trains that would also connect to India via seaports in the Gulf.

Requests for comment were not returned by the Indian, Emirati, or Saudi embassies in Washington.

Sullivan alluded to this project during his lecture at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy on Thursday. “If you remember nothing else from my speech, remember I2U2, because you will be hearing more about it as we go forward."

The core idea, according to Sullivan, is to connect South Asia, the Middle East, and the United States "in ways that advance our economic technology and diplomacy."

He also stated that a number of initiatives are currently in the works, as well as “some new exciting steps that we’re looking forward to undertaking in the months ahead." Regional integration, according to Sullivan, is a core of the Biden administration's Middle East agenda.

"A more integrated, interconnected Middle East empowers our allies and partners, advances regional peace and prosperity, and reduces the resource demands on the US in this region over the long term without sacrificing our fundamental interests or our involvement in the region," the advisor said.

"Israel" is not yet a member of this project, but might be incorporated in the future if attempts to further restore relations in the area proceed, according to the sources.

  • United States
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Railway Project
  • India
  • UAE
  • US
  • US President Joe Biden
  • Mohammed Bin Salman
  • Middle East
  • Saudi Arabia

Most Read

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

  • MENA
  • 17 Jun 2025
Rescue team work at the site where a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, June 16, 2025 (AP)

Wave 12 of Operation True Promise 3 launched, Sejjil deployed: IRGC

  • Politics
  • 18 Jun 2025
Iran launches missile barrage to Tel Aviv, casualties reported

True Promise 3, wave 14: Tel Aviv targeted, casualties reported

  • Politics
  • 19 Jun 2025
Iran's heavy barrages impact multiple Israeli targets overnight

Iran's heavy barrages impact multiple Israeli targets overnight

  • Palestine
  • 18 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Iran’s Bavar-373 air defense system on display during a military drill (Mehr News Agency)
Politics

Iran intercepts Israeli drones near Tehran, multiple cities

The Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept missiles during an Iranian attack over Tel Aviv, Occupied Palestine, Sunday, June 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran warns aid to 'Israel' will be treated as aggression

US President Donald Trump arrives to board Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Friday, June 20, 2025, en route to Montclair, New Jersey (AP)
Politics

Trump, Erdogan made covert attempts to hold talks with Iran: Axios

Ansar Allah supporters surround a giant Iranian flag during an anti-US and anti-'Israel' weekly rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, June 20, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US ships in Red Sea will be targeted if US attacks Iran: YAF

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS