Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman spoke with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia . The parties also discussed efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East, as Riyadh intensified diplomatic outreach amid growing regional instability.
The conversation came as the Houthis claimed responsibility for multiple attacks on Saudi military and aviation infrastructure over the previous 48 hours.
Prince Khalid said on X the two leaders discussed strategic defense cooperation, regional security and continued attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah, on Saudi territory.
Vice President JD Vance also expressed optimism about negotiations. Separately, reports indicated that Qatari mediators had returned to Tehran for another round of discussions with Iranian officials.
His discussion with French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin focused on expanding defense cooperation and coordinating positions on regional security challenges, according to the Saudi minister. President Donald Trump said Iran wanted to reach a settlement “as soon as possible. He also held separate calls with defense counterparts from France, Greece, Japan, Australia and South Korea on Sunday and Monday, according to Prince Khalid.
