Saudi Foreign Minister Meets Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Discuss Regional Security

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Washington for talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on bilateral ties and regional developments, as Houthi attacks and fighting in Yemen raise concerns over Saudi security and Red Sea shipping. Reports say Riyadh has sought U.S. military assistance against the Iran-aligned Houthis, though Washington has not agreed to direct strikes and has discussed intelligence and targeting support. The visit comes amid wider U.S.-Iran tensions: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran remains open to diplomacy but is prepared to respond to further military action, while questioning the U.S. administration’s intentions. The talks are expected to address regional security and efforts to manage escalating tensions.
Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal called on world powers to do more to protect shipping, saying at the UN General Assembly: “The international community has been absent from assuming its responsibilities in confronting all that threatens international peace and security.”
The Houthis have taken control of Yemen’s western coast and gained unprecedented access to the Bab al-Mandeb strait; fighting near Taiz’s strategic Kahboub mountain range was reported the previous week.
Saudi Arabia’s latest reported Houthi strikes have injured dozens of civilians and killed at least one resident. Riyadh schools also abruptly shifted classes online for the rest of the week, without an official explanation, according to the report.
U.S. President Donald Trump recently rejected an Iranian seven-day proposal intended to end hostilities and facilitate the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
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