Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz, a younger full brother of King Salman, and the monarch's nephew Prince Mohammed bin Nayef were charged with plotting a coup to topple the King.

After Muhammed bin Salman was appointed Crown Prince on 21 June 2017, following his father's decision to depose Muhammad bin Nayef, making him heir presumptive to the throne, he taken into action to consolidate power, arresting several royals in an anti-corruption campaign in the same year.

On the day he became Crown Prince, U.S. President Donald Trump called Mohammed bin Salman to "congratulate him on his recent elevation". Trump and the new crown prince pledged "close cooperation" on security and economic issues, according to the White House, and the two leaders also discussed the need to cut off support for terrorism (!), the recent diplomatic dispute with Qatar, and the push to allegedly secure peace between Israel and the Palestinians. (ILKHA)