RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald Trump discussed regional security, maritime navigation and ongoing US-Iran contacts during a telephone call early on Saturday, as Riyadh and Washington stepped up diplomatic coordination following a renewed escalation in Gulf tensions.
The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that the two leaders reviewed bilateral cooperation and explored ways to strengthen ties across various sectors. after “His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received a phone call from President of the United States of America Donald J. Trump,”.
“During the call, the two leaders reviewed cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America and ways to strengthen it in various fields. The leaders also discussed a number of regional and international issues and shared views on them,” the news agency said.
The crown prince and Trump stressed the importance of safeguarding maritime navigation, protecting international sea lanes and supporting efforts to enhance regional security and stability.
“They also reviewed current developments in the region, including talks between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran, emphasising the importance of ensuring maritime navigation security, protecting sea lanes, and supporting efforts that contribute to regional security and stability, SPA said.
Both leaders also exchanged views on regional and international developments, including ongoing contacts between Washington and Tehran.
Top Diplomats Hold Separate Talks
In a separate call, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with both sides reaffirming the importance of continued coordination and consultations to promote peace, security and stability across the region, SPA reported.
The high-level contacts came after a fresh escalation between the United States and Iran threatened to derail recent diplomatic efforts aimed at ending months of hostilities.
The latest crisis erupted after Iranian forces attacked commercial oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz despite a ceasefire agreement, prompting US airstrikes on targets inside Iran.
Tehran later retaliated with missile and drone attacks against US allies in the Gulf, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.
The renewed violence has intensified international calls for Washington and Tehran to return to negotiations.
Egypt and Qatar have urged both sides to resume dialogue and implement the memorandum of understanding reached earlier this year as the foundation for a broader settlement.
Pakistan has also appealed for restraint and offered to continue mediating between the two countries.
Trump said on Friday that the United States had agreed to continue talks with Iran, although he said the ceasefire was over following the latest exchange of attacks.
Saudi Arabia has consistently called for restraint, dialogue and diplomatic solutions to preserve regional stability and ensure the security of international shipping routes, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy transit corridors.
