Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman holds talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Riyadh

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Monday.

The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations and exploring avenues for enhanced cooperation across various fields, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

Discussions also centered on the latest regional and international developments, with both sides emphasizing efforts to promote security and stability. The meeting was attended by key officials, including Saudi Ambassador to the US Princess Reema bint Bandar, US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff.

Earlier in the day, Rubio was received by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan. Their talks highlighted ways to bolster Saudi-US relations to serve mutual interests, alongside addressing regional and international developments and ongoing efforts to address them.

Rubio’s visit to Saudi Arabia followed his stop in Israel, marking the first leg of his inaugural Middle East tour as Secretary of State.

His next destination is the United Arab Emirates, where he will continue discussions aimed at fostering regional stability and strengthening diplomatic ties.

The meetings underscore the enduring partnership between Saudi Arabia and the United States, as both nations work collaboratively to address global challenges and advance shared goals.