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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)
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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."

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Saudi Arabia: No Limit to Aid for Syrian People

Two relief planes landed in Damascus on Wednesday, marking the first deliveries of its humanitarian air bridge. (SPA)
Two relief planes landed in Damascus on Wednesday, marking the first deliveries of its humanitarian air bridge. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia: No Limit to Aid for Syrian People

Two relief planes landed in Damascus on Wednesday, marking the first deliveries of its humanitarian air bridge. (SPA)
Two relief planes landed in Damascus on Wednesday, marking the first deliveries of its humanitarian air bridge. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia has reiterated that there is no cap on the assistance it will provide to Syria, as two relief planes landed in Damascus on Wednesday and another on Thursday, marking the first deliveries of its humanitarian air bridge.
The planes transported 56 tons of various aid, including food, shelter, and medical supplies, accompanied by a team from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief).
Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, advisor to the Royal Court and supervisor general of KSrelief, announced that a land convoy will soon follow the air bridge in the coming days.
Dr. Samer Al-Jatili, spokesperson for KSrelief, told Asharq Al-Awsat that Saudi Arabia’s relief efforts for the Syrian people under this aid initiative are “without limit.” He emphasized that the aid will continue until humanitarian needs are met and the situation stabilizes, in line with the directives of the Saudi leadership to alleviate the suffering of affected populations.
Al-Jatili also revealed plans to send fuel-laden trucks to Syria via Jordan, with the fuel earmarked specifically for bakeries to help them sustain operations amid current challenges.
Saudi chargé d’affaires in Syria, Abdullah al-Haris, emphasized while receiving the first aid plane that this assistance extends Saudi Arabia’s ongoing humanitarian and relief efforts through KSrelief, aimed at easing the suffering of the Syrian people during the ongoing crisis.
Dr. Mohammed Bakleh, president of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, confirmed that the aid would be distributed to all those in need across Syria without discrimination.
Saudi Arabia has long supported the Syrian people, hosting 3 million Syrians since the crisis began in 2011. The Kingdom has offered essential services such as free education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, while facilitating their reintegration into society. It has also provided grants and humanitarian assistance to displaced Syrians in neighboring countries and to those affected by the catastrophic earthquake that struck northern Syria in February 2023.
Statistics show that the Kingdom has delivered $856.891 million in aid to the Syrian people from 2011 to the end of 2024.