By Saudi Arabia’s King Salman will undergo medical tests Sunday evening due to a lung infection, the Royal Court announced, raising new concerns about the 88-year-old monarch’s health.
The statement, carried by the official Saudi Press Agency, said the tests were recommended by royal clinics but provided no further details about the king’s condition.
King Salman, who ascended to the throne in 2015, has faced recurring health issues in recent years. His son, 39-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, serves as the kingdom’s de facto ruler.
“The king’s health is closely monitored, given his importance to the stability of the kingdom,” said Dr. Khalid Al-Dakhil, a Saudi political sociologist. “Any changes in his condition are significant for both domestic and international observers.”
This latest health update follows a series of hospital visits by the king. In May, he underwent a treatment program involving antibiotics. He was admitted for “routine examinations” in April, and in May 2022, he had a colonoscopy and stayed for over a week for additional tests. The king also had his pacemaker battery changed in March 2022 and underwent gallbladder removal surgery in 2020.
The Saudi government has consistently sought to quell speculation about King Salman’s health, which is rarely discussed publicly. In 2017, Riyadh dismissed reports that the king was planning to abdicate in favor of Prince Mohammed.
As the world’s largest crude oil exporter, Saudi Arabia’s political stability is of global interest. Under King Salman’s reign and Prince Mohammed’s guidance, the kingdom has embarked on ambitious social and economic reforms aimed at diversifying the economy beyond oil.
The Royal Court’s announcement comes as Saudi Arabia continues to navigate complex regional dynamics and its evolving role on the world stage.
