Saudi Defense Minister and his American counterpart discuss developing military and defense cooperation

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said he discussed with his US counterpart Pete Hegseth in Washington ways to enhance defense cooperation and regional and international developments.

Prince Khalid bin Salman wrote on the X platform, “During the meeting, we affirmed the historical ties of friendship and strategic partnership between our two countries, and discussed ways to enhance and develop them in the military and defense fields. We reviewed the latest regional and international developments and the efforts made towards them to achieve security and stability.”

The Saudi Ministry of Defense stated, in a post on its account on the X platform, that Bin Salman's official visit to the United States "comes with the aim of discussing strengthening bilateral relations between the two friendly countries, and discussing issues of common interest."

I met with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
During the meeting, we affirmed the historical friendship and strategic partnership between our two countries, and discussed ways to enhance and develop them in the military and defense fields. We also reviewed the latest regional and international developments and the efforts made towards them to achieve security and stability. pic.twitter.com/a08gQtHCmE

- Khalid bin Salman Khalid bin Salman (@kbsalsaud) February 25, 2025

The US Department of Defense confirmed that Hegseth, during his reception of his Saudi counterpart yesterday, Monday, stressed the "critical defense partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia," and the two ministers pledged to "deepen and expand the relationship in line with the interests of the two countries as a pillar of security and shared prosperity."

Hegseth welcomed the Saudi defense minister’s vision for a range of bilateral, regional, and global priorities, and affirmed President Donald Trump’s commitment to “preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon and working with partners to eliminate Houthi capabilities that threaten regional security and trade.”

The Pentagon added that Hegseth "stressed the importance of maintaining bilateral alignment between US and Saudi forces as an investment in regional security and stability."

Prince Khalid bin Salman's visit comes days after the kingdom hosted senior officials from the United States and Russia at the start of negotiations to discuss the war in Ukraine and restore bilateral relations between Washington and Moscow.

Source: Agencies