Trump Meets Saudi Defense Minister to Discuss Iran De-Escalation

President Trump met with the Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman at the White House on Thursday and discussed the situation with Iran and other regional issues, according to a source familiar with the meeting.

Saudi Arabia wants to de-escalate tension in the region after the 12-day war between Israel and Iran.

The talks took place ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Monday meeting with Trump at the White House.

The Trump administration wants to push for a historic peace deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel in the coming months.

After his meeting with Trump, the Saudi foreign minister spoke on the phone with Chief of Iran's General Staff of the Armed Forces, Maj. Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi.

"We discussed developments in the region and the efforts being made to maintain security and stability," wrote Bin Salman, who is a younger brother of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Bin Salman also met with White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The meeting between Trump and the Saudi defense minister was first reported by Fox News.

Witkoff plans to meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Oslo next week to restart nuclear talks, Axios reported on Thursday.

Araghchi spoke with on the phone on Thursday with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Eide and discussed the efforts to deescalate tensions in the region, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said.

Trump told reporters on Thursday that Iran wants to speak with the U.S. and "it is time that they do."

The president said the U.S. doesn't want to hurt Iran. "I know they want to meet and if it is necessary I will do it," he said.