Mike Pompeo meets Saudi Vice Minister of Defense

Both wrote about the meeting on Twitter, alluding to discussions about the recent assassination of IRGC Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani.

JANUARY 7, 2020 18:32

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo walks after stepping off his plane upon arrival at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, September 18, 2019 (photo credit: MANDEL NGAN/POOL/REUTERS) — U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo walks after stepping off his plane upon arrival at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, September 18, 2019

(photo credit: MANDEL NGAN/POOL/REUTERS)

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met Saudi Arabian Vice Minister of Defense Khalid bin Salman in Washington. On Twitter, Pompeo wrote about the meeting and alluded to discussion of the US assassination of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani.

"Welcomed @kbsalsaud to @StateDept today to discuss @realDonaldTrump’s defensive action to safeguard US personnel abroad. The US-#Saudi relationship remains critically important to counter the Iranian regime’s destabilizing behavior & bring about stability in the Middle East," Pompeo tweeted on Monday.

Welcomed @kbsalsaud to @StateDept today to discuss @realDonaldTrump’s defensive action to safeguard U.S. personnel abroad. The U.S.-#Saudi relationship remains critically important to counter the Iranian regime’s destabilizing behavior & bring about stability in the Middle East.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) January 6, 2020

Bin Salman also mentioned discussions on regional stability in the context of "recent events."

"I had the pleasure of meeting @SecPompeo. We discussed recent events in the region, and efforts to maintain regional and international peace and stability," bin Salman tweeted along with a photo of the two meeting in Washington.

I had the pleasure of meeting @SecPompeo. We discussed recent events in the region, and efforts to maintain regional and international peace and stability. pic.twitter.com/wLsbCZal3D
— Khalid bin Salman خالد بن سلمان (@kbsalsaud) January 6, 2020

On Thursday, the US carried out an airstirke that killed Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, along with at least 10 other people.

US-Saudi relations were tested last month when a Saudi pilot, identified as Second Lieutenant Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani, training at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida shot and killed three people and wounded eight others. Following the incident, King Salman condemned the shooting and called US President Donald Trump to express his condolences.

....The King said that the Saudi people are greatly angered by the barbaric actions of the shooter, and that this person in no way shape or form represents the feelings of the Saudi people who love the American people.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 6, 2019

Trump also met with Saudi Vice Minister of Defense Khalid Bin Salman to discuss Middle Eastern regional challenges and issues of importance for the US-Saudi bilateral relationship.

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Upon directives from HRH the Crown Prince, I had the pleasure of meeting with @RealDonaldTrump yesterday to deliver a message from the Crown Prince, and review aspects of our bilateral cooperation, including efforts to confront regional and international challenges. pic.twitter.com/q7uXlgSjx8
— Khalid bin Salman خالد بن سلمان (@kbsalsaud) January 7, 2020

Jerusalem Post Staff and Reuters contributed to this report.