Saudi Arabia’s King Salman, aged 88, is set to undergo medical tests for a lung infection, according to a statement from the Royal Court on Sunday night.
“Based on the recommendations of the royal clinics, King Salman will undergo some medical tests this evening due to a lung infection,” the Royal Court said in a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency.
King Salman has been on the throne since 2015, although his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has largely taken on day-to-day governing responsibilities since being named crown prince in 2017. The kingdom, which is the world’s largest crude oil exporter, has been tight-lipped about the monarch’s health, which is rarely discussed publicly.
This latest update comes after King Salman was hospitalized earlier this year in May for tests and a treatment program involving antibiotics. At the time, the Royal Court later announced that he had recovered. Prior to this, the king had been admitted to the hospital in 2022 for a colonoscopy and other tests, spending over a week in recovery.
King Salman has a history of medical issues, including gall bladder surgery in 2020, and a routine hospital admission in March 2022 to change the battery of his pacemaker.
His reign has been marked by sweeping social and economic reforms, many led by Crown Prince Mohammed, who is positioning Saudi Arabia for a post-oil future. The prince has also overseen a crackdown on dissent, helping him consolidate power within the kingdom.
King Salman’s health is closely watched both within and outside Saudi Arabia as his leadership remains a key factor in the kingdom’s stability.
