U.S. President Donald Trump held a critical phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The two leaders discussed the ongoing negotiations with Iran as well as maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the call emphasized the importance of maintaining the security of maritime transportation and waterways. The two sides noted that efforts to ensure security and stability should be supported following the rising tensions in the region. The two countries' cooperative relations and ways to develop them were also discussed.
Foreign Ministers' Contact
Following this contact at the leaders' level, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also held a phone call. According to SPA, the two ministers discussed the situation in the region and emphasized the importance of continuing joint coordination and consultation to contribute to strengthening regional security and stability.
These diplomatic contacts took place at a time when fears of war were reignited following attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz and subsequent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian targets last Wednesday and Thursday. Tehran, for its part, retaliated with missiles and drones that it said targeted military bases used by the U.S. in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan.
Qatar's Mediation Initiative
Saudi Arabia and Qatar, in a phone call two days ago, affirmed the importance of continuing joint work and coordination to de-escalate tensions and limit the negative repercussions of the crisis at the regional and international levels. According to SPA, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a phone call from Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
U.S. President Trump, for his part, announced on Friday that he had approved new negotiations with Iran and that the ceasefire in effect since last April had ended. Meanwhile, a Qatari delegation arrived in Iran on Friday to keep diplomatic efforts alive following the latest attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and the exchange of strikes between Tehran and Washington.
