US-Saudi Foreign Ministers discuss Iran and Houthi rebels in Yemen -

Washington/Riyadh: – Discussions were held between the Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia and the United States against the background of the publication of the report that Iran has violated the 2015 nuclear deal. Both the leaders presented stands of their countries on the Iranian nuclear program and the threat posed to the sector by the Iran affiliated terrorist organisations. The United States appealed that Saudi Arabia should join the western countries in the Russia-Ukraine war. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is reaching Saudi. Therefore, this seems to be an attempt to convince Saudi before his visit.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud held telephonic discussions. Secretary of State Blinken thanked Saudi for being prepared to negotiate a ceasefire in Yemen. At the same time, talks were also held on the Iranian nuclear program issue. The US department of state informed that it was agreed during the discussions that comprehensive cooperation between the United States and Saudi was necessary for the security of the Gulf.

Moreover, the US Secretary of State demanded cooperation from Saudi for the Russia-Ukraine war going on for the last three months. Secretary of State Blinken clarified that support from Saudi along with the international community becomes essential to secure the sovereignty and regional integrity of Ukraine. At the same time, Saudi welcomed the decision of the Biden administration to retain the Iranian Revolutionary Guards on the list of terrorist organisations.

US President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit the Gulf at the end of June. This will be the first visit to the Gulf by the US President since taking over the reins of the United States. The dates for the visit of the US President have not been finalised. But the US media is claiming that President Biden will try to mend the strained relations between the United States and Saudi during his visit. As per the media, this was also the purpose of discussions between Secretary of State Blinken and the Saudi Foreign Minister.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will be in Saudi in the next few hours. The Russian Foreign Minister will participate in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) meeting being held in Riyadh. Gulf media has claimed that this visit of the Russian Foreign Minister is to strengthen the relations between Russia and the OPEC countries against the background of the fuel rates flaring up in the world because of the Russia-Ukraine war. Against this background, the US Secretary of State seems to have made one more effort to appease Saudi and get its support.