Saudi Arabia has publicly declared it will not establish diplomatic ties with Israel unless there is a concrete, time-bound plan for a Palestinian Arab state, shattering hopes for a major regional deal. The article argues that this stance amounts to political ransom, with Riyadh leveraging American security needs for its own benefit while obstructing broader Middle East peace efforts. As Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman seeks a limited defense pact with the United States, the author contends that Saudi demands are intentionally maximalist and designed to stall progress, ultimately empowering Iran and its proxies. The piece urges Washington to reject these conditions, insisting that normalization with Israel is essential for regional stability and should not be used as a bargaining chip.