US signs mega deals with Saudis; Trump to normalize ties with Syria

Don begins four-day trip to Wasia; expected to meet Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa

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US President Donald Trump signed a host of economic and bilateral cooperation agreements in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday as he kicked off a four-day West Asia trip with a focus on dealmaking with a key Mideast ally while shared concerns about Iran's nuclear program and the war in Gaza dragged on in the background.

The US and Saudi Arabia signed a mammoth arms deal on Tuesday that the White House called the largest "in history" amid a raft of agreements inked by Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh.

"The United States and Saudi Arabia signed the largest defense sales agreement in history—nearly $142 billion, providing Saudi Arabia with state-of-the-art warfighting equipment," the White House said in a statement.

Trump voiced hope and said that Saudi Arabia will eventually recognize Israel, in a speech in Riyadh in the presence of the crown prince.