WASHINGTON — Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman held an urgent meeting with Vice President Vance at the White House on Wednesday, delivering a message from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that Riyadh remains committed to de-escalation with Iran despite participating in joint military strikes against pro-Iranian militias in Iraq a day earlier.
Strikes a Defensive Necessity
The meeting came after Saudi military forces and U.S. Central Command conducted coordinated strikes on Tuesday against Iranian-backed militias responsible for more than 30 drone attacks on Saudi infrastructure and energy facilities within 72 hours. A source familiar with the meeting confirmed the Saudi defense minister characterized the attacks on the Kingdom as crossing a red line, necessitating a forceful response for self-defense.
“The Crown Prince wanted to convey to Vance that the strikes in Iraq don’t mean that Saudi Arabia is pro-escalation but rather that it is ready to defend itself if needed,” the source said.
Divergence with Israel on Iran Policy
The Saudi meeting at the White House occurred one day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with President Trump. The source indicated distinct regional priorities, stating Prince Khalid told Vance that Israel's leadership is pushing for escalation with Iran while Saudi Arabia views de-escalation as a more productive path. The Crown Prince’s message underscores a persistent regional calculation where Saudi national interests—stabilizing energy markets and avoiding a costly war—take precedence over aligning with Israel’s security posture.
The Kingdom can manage the situation with the Houthis and doesn't need the U.S. to get involved at this point.
Two weeks prior, President Trump had reportedly backed Saudi military action against Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, who retaliated with naval threats in the Red Sea. The defense minister’s message suggests the Saudi leadership now seeks to contain conflicts through negotiations with Houthi forces rather than broadening American military commitments abroad, a use of U.S. resources that rarely yields direct benefit to American workers or security. The Vice President's office declined to comment on the meeting.