Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan met with Roger Wicker, chairman of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, and Jack Reed, the committee’s vice chairman, during his official visit to Washington.
Tuesday’s meeting addressed coordination and cooperation between the two countries in defense and security. Regional developments and efforts to strengthen security and stability in the region were also among the topics discussed.
In a meeting with Tom Cotton, chairman of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee, bin Farhan discussed the latest political and security developments. The sides also discussed opportunities for cooperation that could contribute to the shared interests of the two countries.
During a meeting in Washington on Monday, the Saudi foreign minister and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio underscored the importance of ensuring the security of maritime transport and protecting freedom of passage through international waterways.
Navigational safety in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait was among the prominent topics of the meeting.
Washington visit and the Yemen context
Bin Farhan arrived in Washington on Monday. He is continuing meetings with U.S. officials as part of an official visit whose duration has not been disclosed.
The visit comes at a time when attacks against Saudi Arabia have increased following the Houthis’ announcement in July of a purported naval blockade of the country. The Houthis claimed responsibility for attacks targeting sites in Saudi Arabia and Saudi-owned vessels with ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Saudi Arabia has led the coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government since March 2015. The Houthis have controlled the capital, Sanaa, and some provinces since September 2014.
The meetings in Washington are taking place as negotiations between the United States and Iran have stalled because of disputes over maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz, which is important for energy and global trade, is among the world’s strategic passage points.
Before traveling to Washington, bin Farhan attended the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York and discussed regional and global developments with international officials.
