Saudi Arabia’s 88-year-old King Salman has been diagnosed with a lung infection and is currently receiving antibiotic treatment after experiencing a fever and joint pain. State media reported the news early Monday, following medical examinations at the Royal Clinics at Al Salam Palace in Jeddah.
“It was found that there was a lung infection, and the medical team decided that he – may God protect him – should undergo a treatment programme consisting of antibiotics until the infection goes away,” stated the Saudi Press Agency.
King Salman ascended the throne in 2015 and has since appointed his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as the kingdom’s de facto ruler. The crown prince is widely believed to manage the kingdom’s daily affairs.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, commonly known as MBS, postponed his planned four-day trip to Japan due to concerns over King Salman’s health, announced Japan’s top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi. The trip, which was to begin on Monday, would have marked the crown prince’s first visit to Japan since 2019.
During the planned trip, MBS was expected to meet Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Japanese companies, and sign an agreement to bolster supply chains for liquid hydrogen.
Before the news of King Salman’s health issues, Crown Prince Mohammed met with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to discuss the Gaza conflict and near-final strategic agreements between Saudi Arabia and the US. The potential historic pact aims to provide security guarantees for the kingdom and outline a possible pathway to diplomatic relations with Israel.
MBS also recently met with regional leaders, including Jordan’s King Abdullah II, during the 33rd Arab Summit in Bahrain.
