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] Tensions with Saudi Arabia and UAE: Iran has repeatedly threatened oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. ANN News
• [New] Eight members, including Saudi Arabia and Russia, will collectively increase oil production by 548,000 barrels per day in August - exceeding prior plans. archyde
• [New] Countries such as Israel and Saudi Arabia, which perceive Iran as a significant threat, may respond by enhancing their military capabilities or seeking stronger alliances with Western nations. County Local News
• [New] OPEC + members agree to larger-than-expected oil production hike in AugustSummary: An eight-nation OPEC + group, including Russia and Saudi Arabia, agreed to a larger-than-expected 548,000 barrels per day production hike for August. Oil and Gas Outsourcing and Mineral Management
• [New] Disruption of Import Routes: India depends significantly on fertiliser imports from Gulf countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. EDUREV.IN
• [New] Saudi Arabia is planning to welcome 150 million visitors by 2030, backed by substantial investments in regenerative destinations, advanced infrastructure, and talent development. TravelsDubai: Latest UAE News, Saudia News, Canada news
• [New] Saudi Arabia represents 2025's steepest rise on the inbound list, projected to receive +2,400 millionaires, driven by repatriating nationals and global investors drawn to Riyadh and Jeddah. Frank Salt Real Estate
• [New] Strategic visions such as Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, Abu Dhabi's Economic Vision 2030, Qatar's National Vision 2030 and Dubai's 2040 Urban Master Plan are driving capital projects across sectors such as energy, transport, digital infrastructure and social services. Freshfields
• [New] Saudi Arabia is encouraging additive manufacturing for defence and oil & gas use as part of Vision 2030 plans. Emergen Research
• [New] Saudi Arabia aims to diversify its economy and reduce oil dependence through the 'Vision 2030' plan, targeting a 65% contribution from the private sector to GDP and a significant boost in non-oil revenues. SlideShare
• [New] Saudi Arabia will be somewhat more resilient than other Gulf producers due to its ability to tap available capacity in its 5 million bpd East-West pipeline to reroute some of its exports through the Red Sea, and it may also boost output at its west coast refineries. Middle East Institute
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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

Last updated: 14 July 2025