United States Ambassador to Saudi Arabia

Ambassador of the United States to Saudi Arabia سفير الولايات المتحدة الأميركية في المملكة العربية السعودية
Seal of the United States Department of State
Incumbent Christopher Henzel Chargé d'Affaires a.i since January 9, 2017
Residence	Quincy House
Nominator	The President of the United States
Inaugural holder	Bert Fish as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
Formation	Aug 7, 1939
Website	U.S. Embassy - Riyadh

The United States recognized the government of King Ibn Saud in 1931, but it was not until 1939 when it appointed its first U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Bert Fish, then resident in Cairo and ambassador to Egypt. Fish made one trip down to Jeddah in 1940 to meet the King and present his credentials, but it was not until after his mission was terminated that a legation was established there on May 1, 1942. The position has been vacant since the departure from Riyadh January 9, 2017 of ambassador Joseph W. Westphal, with Christopher Henzel as Chargé d'Affaires a.i.

In 2016, American porn actress Mia Khalifa was the subject of a large online petition to have President Trump appoint her as Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. It gained thousands of signatures but was unable to be put into action.

U.S. diplomatic terms

Note: After Fish had withdrawn but before Kirk presented credentials as non-resident Minister, the Legation in Jidda was established on May 1, 1942, with James S. Moose, Jr., as Chargé d'Affaires ad interim.

Note: On Sep 26, 1984, the U.S. Liaison Office in Riyadh was raised to the rank of embassy while the embassy in Jeddah became a consulate.

Note: C. David Welch served as Chargé d'Affaires ad interim Aug 1992-Aug 1994.