Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman met with U.S. Vice President Vance at the White House on July 29, 2026. During the meeting, he conveyed that despite a recent joint U.S.-Saudi strike on pro-Iranian militias in Iraq, Saudi Arabia still favors de-escalation with Iran, according to a source familiar with the discussions.
The meeting aimed to communicate a message from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman regarding the ongoing conflict with Iran and regional stability. Saudi Arabia, a key U.S. ally, has influenced U.S. policy towards Iran multiple times since the conflict began. Prince Khalid, who is closely associated with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, had postponed his visit to Washington due to the strikes in Iraq.
On July 28, the Saudi military and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted joint strikes against pro-Iranian militias in Iraq in response to over 30 drone attacks from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targeting Saudi Arabia in the preceding 72 hours. The Saudi Defense Ministry confirmed its participation in the strikes, stating they were coordinated with CENTCOM.
During the meeting, Prince Khalid informed Vance that the attacks by pro-Iranian militias on Saudi infrastructure constituted a significant threat, necessitating a response from Saudi Arabia. He emphasized that the strikes should not be interpreted as a move towards escalation but rather as a defensive measure. The Saudi defense minister also noted that while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu advocates for escalation with Iran, Saudi Arabia prefers a path of de-escalation.
Additionally, the Saudi defense minister indicated that the kingdom is capable of managing the situation with the Houthis in Yemen without U.S. intervention, as negotiations with the Houthis are ongoing. The vice president's office did not provide comments on the meeting.