Saudi defence minister meets Trump and Vance at the White House, with Riyadh pressing for de-escalation with Iran

Donald Trump met Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman at the White House on Wednesday, 29 July 2026. The Saudi minister was reported to be carrying a message from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Axios, citing a US official, said the meeting covered regional developments and Iran above all.

On the same trip the Saudi defence minister also met Vice President JD Vance. According to a source familiar with that meeting, Khalid bin Salman told Vance that Netanyahu is seeking to escalate tension with Iran while Saudi Arabia wants de-escalation and regards that as the more fruitful path. He also said the kingdom can manage the situation with Yemen's Ansarullah and does not need US intervention at this stage, and that the Saudi side is in talks with Ansarullah.

The meeting took place after Ansarullah announced it was applying a blockade for blockade formula in response to Saudi control of Yemeni airspace and ports, and targeted two Saudi tankers in the Red Sea, a development that bears directly on insurance and oil shipping routes in the Red Sea. The Saudi defence minister's trip was brief and he left the United States immediately after meeting Vance.