Saudi-US Talks Foreign minister arrives in Washington amid Houthi tensions

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Washington on Monday for talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to Saudi state news agency SPA. The meeting comes amid escalating hostilities between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi movement.

The two foreign ministers are expected to discuss bilateral relations as well as major regional and international developments, SPA said.

The talks come as Saudi Arabia seeks greater security support from Washington following an increase in Houthi attacks. Saudi Arabia has also stressed the need to protect navigation and commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sought US military assistance this month in dealing with the Houthis, according to sources cited by Reuters. Washington declined to launch strikes but agreed to provide intelligence and targeting support, the sources said.

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The United States has faced pressure from Saudi Arabia and other regional partners as Houthi forces have expanded their military activity in and around Yemen. Reuters reported last week that US President Donald Trump had not committed to direct military assistance after a request from Yemen’s internationally recognised government.

Saudi Arabia has publicly condemned Houthi missile and drone attacks and called for international action to protect maritime security. In his address to the UN General Assembly on Sunday, Prince Faisal welcomed a Security Council statement condemning Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and commercial vessels.

The Washington meeting is also expected to cover broader regional developments and the long-standing strategic relationship between Saudi Arabia and the United States.

The talks take place against a wider backdrop of regional tensions involving Iran, Yemen and maritime security. G7 foreign ministers have also called on Iran to end its support for the Houthis and urged the group to stop attacks on civilian shipping.