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 King Appoints Dr. Majid Al-Fayyad as Advisor to the Saudi Royal Court

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
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Saudi King Appoints Dr. Majid Al-Fayyad as Advisor to the Saudi Royal Court

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

In a royal order issued on Wednesday, Saudi Arabia's King Salman appointed Dr. Majid Al-Fayyad as an advisor to the Saudi Royal Court.

The royal decree was based on the Basic Law of Governance and the system of ministers, deputy ministers and employees of the excellent rank.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques called on ministers and relevant authorities to adopt the decree.