Saudi Arabia’s deputy defence minister said on Thursday he discussed regional security and military cooperation with senior US government officials at a time of heightened tension with Iran following last month’s attacks on Saudi oil facilities.
Saudi Arabia and the United States blamed common foe Tehran for the September 14 assault on oil plants that initially halved the output of the world’s top exporter, a charge Iran denies.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman last month said Riyadh prefers a political solution to a military one but warned that oil prices could spike to “unimaginably high numbers” if the world does not deter Iran.
Vice Minister of Defence Prince Khalid bin Salman, a brother of Prince Mohammed, said in Twitter posts that he met with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Mark Esper.
Met with @SecPompeo and discussed ways to continue to strengthen the historic ties between our two countries. In our discussions we affirmed that the two countries stand side by side in bolstering regional and international security and stability. pic.twitter.com/FKPSG6d8Lo
— Khalid bin Salman خالد بن سلمان (@kbsalsaud) October 10, 2019
Saudi Arabia and the United States “stand side by side in bolstering regional and international security and stability”, Prince Khalid said of his talks with Pompeo.
He and Esper discussed mutual security challenges and reaffirmed “strong military cooperation in countering terrorism and preserving peace and stability”, the prince said.
Discussed mutual security challenges in the region with @EsperDoD. We reaffirmed the strong military cooperation in countering terrorism and preserving peace and stability. pic.twitter.com/BEkjiSeqKu
— Khalid bin Salman خالد بن سلمان (@kbsalsaud) October 10, 2019