US presidential candidate Joe Biden for the post of US ambassador to Saudi Arabia Michael Ratney said that “a lot is at stake” in relations between Washington and Riyadh.

During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, he stressed his commitment to a strong and enduring US-Saudi partnership, noting that “Saudi energy supply and advancing Saudi energy policy consistent with America’s priorities will be the focus of my discussions with the Saudi government.”

Ratni stressed that he will seek to help Saudi Arabia defend its territory and contain Iran’s “aggressive behavior”, pointing out that “ending the war in Yemen and deepening engagement in protecting human rights will also be among his priorities”, explaining that he wants to help strengthen defense of Saudi Arabia from During security cooperation and training, “demonstrating the continued commitment of the United States to our partners, allies, and values.”

“The main supporters of the Yemeni group, Iran, pose a serious threat to the interests of the United States and Saudi Arabia, and we must work with our Saudi partners to counter Iranian threats to global energy flows, regional stability and the lives of our American citizens in the region,” he said.

The hearing of Michael Ratney, a candidate for Washington’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, comes after the White House announced that US President Joe Biden will visit Saudi Arabia next month as part of his first tour of the Middle East since taking office in January 2021. .