Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman received on Sunday a phone call from U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, according to reports.
The call took place against a backdrop of a Middle East region threatening to boil over after a barrage of missiles and drones launched from Iran at Israel created global worry about the region’s stability. Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, have tried for months to contain and end the conflict between Israel and Hamas, but the Iranian drone and missile attack on Israel over the weekend indicated an expanding conflict.
The two defense leaders discussed the recent military escalation in the region, the danger of its repercussions, and the efforts being exerted to contain these developments in a way safeguarding international peace and security, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
During the call, Prince Khalid and Secretary Austin reviewed the strategic partnership between the two countries in the military and defense fields and ways to strengthen them, according to a readout.
Saudi Arabia denied a role in shooting down Iranian missiles and objects aimed at Israel over the weekend, despite earlier reporting to the contrary.
“There is no official website that published a statement about Saudi participation in intercepting attacks against Israel,” sources told Al Arabiya.
Following Iran’s attack on Israel, Saudi Arabia called on all parties to exercise the “utmost levels” of restraint and spare the region and its people the dangers of wars.
Last year, Saudi Arabia normalized relations with Iran after years of rivalry and indirect conflict.
