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."



Lebanese President Arrives in Qatar on Official Visit

This handout picture released by the Lebanese Government Press Office shows Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun (C) being welcomed by Qatar's Minister of Transport Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Thani (C-L) after arriving in Doha on April 15, 2025. (Lebanese Government Press Office / AFP)
This handout picture released by the Lebanese Government Press Office shows Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun (C) being welcomed by Qatar's Minister of Transport Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Thani (C-L) after arriving in Doha on April 15, 2025. (Lebanese Government Press Office / AFP)
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Lebanese President Arrives in Qatar on Official Visit

This handout picture released by the Lebanese Government Press Office shows Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun (C) being welcomed by Qatar's Minister of Transport Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Thani (C-L) after arriving in Doha on April 15, 2025. (Lebanese Government Press Office / AFP)
This handout picture released by the Lebanese Government Press Office shows Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun (C) being welcomed by Qatar's Minister of Transport Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Thani (C-L) after arriving in Doha on April 15, 2025. (Lebanese Government Press Office / AFP)

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun arrived in Qatar on Tuesday on an official two-day visit at the invitation of Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Aoun will hold bilateral talks with Sheikh Tamim and expanded talks will be held between the Lebanese and Qatari delegations.

The president is accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Youssef Raji.

Aoun arrived in Qatar hours after Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Jassim Al Thani received French President's Envoy to Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian.

They discussed bilateral cooperation, the latest developments in Lebanon, and a number of issues of mutual interest.

Sheikh Mohammed stressed the need for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all Lebanese territories, and for all parties to adhere to the ceasefire agreement and avoid escalation, in order to ensure security and stability in the region.