Saudi, US Defense Chiefs Underscore Strategic Partnership at Pentagon Meeting
The Saudi Minister of Defense, Prince Khalid bin Salman, on Monday met with the US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, at the Pentagon in Washington DC, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Upon the arrival of Prince Khalid to the Pentagon, Hegseth received him with a formal welcoming ceremony, featuring the US Honor Guard and the national anthems of Saudi Arabia and the US. After that, both officials held a bilateral meeting.
Underscoring Defense Partnership
During their meeting, the Saudi and US Defense Chiefs emphasized the enduring friendship and strategic partnership between the two countries.
Furthermore, the two defense ministers explored ways to strengthen the bilateral partnership in the military and defense sectors. They also reviewed the latest regional and international developments, and efforts made to promote security and stability.
The meeting was attended by several senior Saudi officials, including the Saudi Ambassador to the US, Princess Reema Bandar Al Saud, and Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant-General Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili.
Om the American side, the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Navy Admiral Christopher Grady, and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Katherine Thompson, attended the meeting, in addition to other senior US officials.
Saudi-US Cooperation
According to the US Department of Defense press release, the meeting between Prince Khalid bin Salman and Pete Hegseth highlighted the importance of the Saudi-US partnership. The US Defense Secretary said that the US partnership with Saudi Arabia “matters a great deal.”
Moreover, Hegseth pointed to the Saudi-US cooperation during the first term of President Donald Trump, noting that both countries worked together to “pursue security and stability in the Middle East, as well as to combat terrorism in the region and increase mutual prosperity.”
The US Defense Secretary also highlighted the long-standing bilateral cooperation, dating back to the meeting between US President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Saudi King Abdul Aziz bin Saud 80 years ago aboard the US Navy cruiser USS Quincy.
“Today, our relationship is a critical center of gravity in a very turbulent world,” Hegseth said.
Hosting US-Russia Talks
The US Defense Chief also thanked Saudi Arabia for hosting high-level talks between top American and Russian officials in Riyadh, on February 18, 2025.
“And I also want to continue deepening and strengthening our partnership to pursue security and prosperity for both Americans and Saudis. So, I’m very much looking forward to a great discussion,” he noted.
