US Vice President JD Vance has met with Saudi Arabia's Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman, according to media reports.
CNN reported that the meeting took place in Washington, citing multiple sources familiar with the meeting.
A report by Axios cited a source familiar with the meeting and said Saudi Arabia still "favours de-escalation with Iran."
Bin Salman met Vance to deliver a message from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the latest developments in the Iran war and the region, according to the source.
Noting that attacks by Iranian-aligned groups in Iraq were a "red line," the source told Axios that "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."
"Prince Khalid told Vance that Netanyahu is pushing for escalation with Iran while Saudi Arabia wants de-escalation because it is a more fruitful path," said the report, citing the source.
Joint strikes
The meeting came after Tuesday night's precision strikes by US and Saudi forces against targets linked to Iranian-aligned groups in Iraq.
CENTCOM said the operation targeted sites connected to attacks on US forces and Saudi energy infrastructure.
Saudi Arabia said the strikes were conducted in self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter following attacks launched from Iraqi territory against the kingdom's petroleum facilities.
Riyadh warned it would take further military action if Iran-backed groups carried out additional attacks.
The Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), a predominantly Iran-backed coalition of Shiite armed groups, confirmed that several of its headquarters were hit in the strikes, killing at least 20 members, wounding 32 and causing extensive property damage.
Iran has condemned the strikes as a violation of Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
