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."



Syrian FM: Saudi Arabia Will Be Destination of First Official Foreign Visit

Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani. (AFP)
Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani. (AFP)
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Syrian FM: Saudi Arabia Will Be Destination of First Official Foreign Visit

Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani. (AFP)
Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani. (AFP)

Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani said on Monday that he received an invitation from his Saudi counterpart to visit the Kingdom, making it the destination of his first official foreign visit since his appointment to his post.

In a post on the X platform, he revealed that he received the invitation from Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abullah and that he was “honored to represent his country” during the official visit.

Shibani added that the “new Syria welcomes all Arab and foreign delegations. We are opening a new historic chapter that connects Syria’s past to its present and closes the chapter of boycott during the rule of the former regime.”

Hours earlier, head of Syria’s new administration Ahmed al-Sharaa underscored to Al-Arabiya television the importance of Saudi Arabia in Syria’s future.

“Saudi Arabia will play a major role,” he stressed, highlighting the recent “very positive” Saudi statements on Syria.

Saudi Arabia is seeking Syria’s stability, he added, noting the major economic opportunities available in his country.