Jake Sullivan calls MBS to reaffirm US hostile position towards Iran
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The US National security advisor discusses Saudi's move towards peace in the region, issues related to Iran, and bilateral partnerships with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman over a phone call.
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Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with US President Joe Biden at Al Salman Palace, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 15 July, 2022. (Reuters)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) had a phone call with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Tuesday, and the two officials discussed issues relating to Iran and the process of ending the war in Yemen, according to a statement by the White House.
Sullivan highlighted the efforts of the kingdom “to pursue a more comprehensive roadmap for ending the war” in Yemen, and also reaffirmed President Biden's administration's hostility to Iran, which comes after the re-establishment of diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia, which was mediated by China.
"Mr. Sullivan and Crown Prince Salman also discussed broader trends toward de-escalation in the region, while underscoring the need to maintain deterrence against threats from Iran and elsewhere. Mr. Sullivan reaffirmed President Biden’s unwavering commitment to ensure Iran can never acquire a nuclear weapon.”
The parties agreed to continue discussions related to important bilateral partnerships such as Global Infrastructure (PGII), clean energy cooperation, and investment in the Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN).
The US official further noted that Special Envoy Tim Lenderking will be visiting Riyadh in the coming days for a follow-up talk on US-Saudi relations with the Kingdom’s officials.
Saudi pushed to negotiate peace talks
Recently, talks between US and Saudi officials have intensified as Saudi Arabia pushes for a peace settlement for its costly war endeavors in Yemen amid successive meetings with top Iranian officials.
CIA Director William Burns recently met with Saudi leaders, as he expressed his frustration with Saudi officials, The Wall Street Journal reported. According to the paper, Burns told MBS that the US felt blindsided by Riyadh’s rapprochement with rivals Iran and Syria under the auspices of Washington’s global rivals.
Moreover, Saudi officials have held talks with high-ranking officials in the Ansar Allah movement where they detailed a peace process in Yemen. This comes after 8 years of war by Saudi Arabia and the UAE that targeted Yemen and caused a humanitarian catastrophe.
