JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman has discussed regional developments and Middle East security in a phone call with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
During the call, both leaders discussed bilateral cooperation and strategies to strengthen it across multiple sectors, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Thursday.
HRH the Crown Prince, Egyptian President Discuss Regional Security by Phone.https://t.co/L446Ytxhll#SPAGOV pic.twitter.com/N6thUmj3g1
— SPAENG (@Spa_Eng) September 3, 2026
They also addressed current regional developments and efforts to de-escalate tensions and enhance Middle East security and stability.
US extends Middle East deployments into 2027
The call comes as the United States extends the deployment of thousands of American troops and military assets across the Middle East into 2027, signalling that Washington is preparing for a prolonged conflict with Iran.
The deployment extensions, ordered by US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, will affect US Army units, air-defence forces, fighter squadrons and Navy personnel operating in and around the Middle East, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The US military currently has roughly 50,000 troops stationed in the region.
Quoting a letter sent by military leaders to soldiers’ families, The Journal reported that elements of the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, one of the US military’s principal rapid-response forces, could remain in the region well into 2027.
“We do not share that lightly, and we understand that a longer tour weighs heavily on every household, including our own,” the letter said.
US Navy redirects 86 commercial ships
The United States Navy has redirected 86 commercial ships, disabled three others and boarded two as part of its enforcement of a US blockade against Iran, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Wednesday.
According to CENTCOM, the actions had been carried out as of September 2 as US forces continued efforts to ensure commercial ships complied with the blockade.
ALSO READ: US Navy Redirects 86 Commercial Ships Under Iran Blockade: CENTCOM
“The US Navy continues to strictly enforce the U.S. blockade against Iran,” CENTCOM said in a post on social media platform X.
The US military command said 86 commercial ships had been redirected, while three ships had been disabled and two boarded during the enforcement operations.
The figures provide an indication of the scale of the US naval measures being undertaken against commercial shipping operating in connection with the blockade.
