Biden and King Salman discuss Houthi attacks and Iran

US and Saudi Arabian leaders also talk on phone about global energy supplies and Opec

US President Joe Biden. AFP
Powered by automated translation

US President Joe Biden and Saudi Arabia's King Salman on Wednesday talked about regional developments and the Opec+ agreement, both countries' governments said.

The leaders said their countries were committed to supporting each other's security amid ongoing attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, just south from Saudi Arabia.

Mr Biden "underscored the US commitment to support Saudi Arabia in the defence of its people and territory from these attacks, and full support for UN-led efforts to end the war in Yemen", the White House said.

The US and Saudi Arabia on Monday held talks about Houthi actions in Yemen after the rebels launched rockets against Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The US condemned the attacks.

"The President noted his commitment to ensuring that Iran can never obtain a nuclear weapon and briefed the King on ongoing multilateral talks to re-establish constraints on Iran’s nuclear programme," the White House said.

An eighth round of global diplomatic talks on an Iranian nuclear deal has started this week.

"The two leaders discussed matters pertaining to the Middle East region and Europe, and agreed that their teams would remain closely co-ordinated over the coming weeks and months."

The US and Saudi Arabia have intercepted an increasing number of Houthi missiles launched from Yemen.

King Salman expressed support for a "comprehensive political resolution in Yemen", the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The leaders also discussed maintaining global energy operations, after an Opec+ decision to increase oil output in March, with higher global demand.

King Salman said he "stressed the importance of maintaining balance and stability in the oil markets, highlighting the role of the historic Opec+ agreement in this regard, and the importance of maintaining the agreement", Spa reported.

Updated: February 09, 2022, 10:37 PM