Saudis Kept US Informed on Talks with Iran, Says White House

Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council John Kirby responds to a question from the news media during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 02 March 2023. (EPA)
Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council John Kirby responds to a question from the news media during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 02 March 2023. (EPA)
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Saudis Kept US Informed on Talks with Iran, Says White House

Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council John Kirby responds to a question from the news media during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 02 March 2023. (EPA)
Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council John Kirby responds to a question from the news media during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 02 March 2023. (EPA)

Saudi Arabia kept Washington informed of its talks with Iran to restore diplomatic relations but the United States was not directly involved, White House spokesman John Kirby said on Friday.

The road map announced on Friday was the result of several rounds of talks, including some held in Baghdad and Oman.

"The Saudis did keep us informed about these talks that they were having, just as we keep them informed on our engagements, but we weren't directly involved."

The White House believes that internal and external pressure, including effective Saudi deterrence against attacks from Iran or its proxies, ultimately brought Iran to the table, Kirby said.

"We support any efforts to de-escalate tensions there and in the region. We think it's in our interests, and it's something that we worked on through our own effective combination of deterrence and diplomacy."



Saudi FM Holds Phone Talks with Egyptian, Jordanian Counterparts

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, speaks during a press conference in Damascus, Syria, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, speaks during a press conference in Damascus, Syria, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)
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Saudi FM Holds Phone Talks with Egyptian, Jordanian Counterparts

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, speaks during a press conference in Damascus, Syria, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, speaks during a press conference in Damascus, Syria, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, held two separate phone calls on Friday with his Egyptian and Jordanian counterparts, the Saudi Press Agency said.

During his call with Jordanian minister Ayman Safadi, discussions focused on the Israeli attack on Iran, its regional repercussions, and the ongoing efforts to de-escalate the situation in the region.

Bin Farhan also discussed the Israeli attack on Iran with the Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Badr Abdelatty.

They discussed the regional repercussions of the attack and the ongoing efforts to ease the tension in the region.