WASHINGTON – Saudi Foreign Minister (FM) Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Washington on Monday for talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as tensions involving Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi movement continue to escalate.
The Saudi Press Agency reported that the meeting would focus on bilateral relations as well as major regional and international developments.
The visit comes amid heightened tensions in the region and growing concerns over the security situation surrounding Yemen and the wider Middle East.
#واشنطن | سمو وزير الخارجية الأمير #فيصل_بن_فرحان @FaisalbinFarhan يصل إلى مدينة واشنطن عاصمة الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، وذلك في زيارة رسمية. pic.twitter.com/hA25sHWaje
— وزارة الخارجية 🇸🇦 (@KSAMOFA) September 28, 2026
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reportedly sought US military assistance in dealing with threats from the Iran-backed Houthis. Washington has not agreed to conduct direct strikes but has discussed providing intelligence and targeting assistance, according to reports.
The Saudi-US talks are expected to address regional security developments and the two countries’ broader strategic relationship.
Earlier, Iran signalled that it remains open to diplomatic efforts while warning that it is prepared to respond to further military action.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was committed to pursuing diplomacy despite what he described as the possibility of a major escalation.
“President Pezeshkian and I did not come to New York to sell a war. We came to forge peace,” Araghchi said in a post on X after appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press.
He added that Iran remained prepared to confront any aggression while maintaining its readiness for what he called “real diplomacy.”
The comments came amid uncertainty over efforts to de-escalate the conflict between Iran and the United States.
The developments come as Washington, Riyadh and other regional capitals seek to manage mounting security tensions while keeping diplomatic channels open.
US President Donald Trump recently rejected an Iranian seven-day proposal aimed at ending hostilities and facilitating the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
However, Trump later indicated that further discussions with Tehran could take place during the week.
