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 Minister of Interior, King of Jordan Discuss Security Cooperation

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz and Jordan’s King Abdullah II meet in Amman. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz and Jordan’s King Abdullah II meet in Amman. (SPA)
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Saudi Minister of Interior, King of Jordan Discuss Security Cooperation

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz and Jordan’s King Abdullah II meet in Amman. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz and Jordan’s King Abdullah II meet in Amman. (SPA)

Upon the directive of the Saudi leadership, Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz held talks on Wednesday with Jordan’s King Abdullah II in Amman.

The meeting, also attended by Jordan's Crown Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II, reviewed bilateral relations and ongoing security cooperation between their countries.

The meeting was attended by Saudi Assistant Minister of Interior Dr. Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al-Falih, Saudi Ambassador to Jordan Naif bin Bandar Al-Sudairi, Jordan’s Minister of Interior Mazen Abdullah Hilal Al-Faraya and Director of the King's Office Alaa Batayneh.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud earlier held official talks with Al-Faraya aimed at boosting security cooperation between their countries.

Al-Faraya emphasized the deep-rooted and strategic ties between Saudi Arabia and Jordan under the leadership of King Abdullah II.

For his part, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud commended the concerted efforts of security agencies in both ministries, particularly in fortifying border security and combating drug trafficking.  

Discussions centered on strengthening existing security cooperation and exploring topics of mutual concern.