Saudi Gazette report

Washington — Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, discussed the Kingdom’s plans for economic transformation through Vision 2030, highlighted its leading role in countering terrorism and extremism, talked about Iran’s destabilizing role in the region and reviewed the situation in Yemen during a flurry of meetings on Tuesday, the first day of his three-week official visit to the US.

The day started with a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House followed by lunch in the Cabinet Room.

The two leaders discussed the situation in Yemen, including Houthi rebels and Iranian activity, the White House said in a statement released on Wednesday.

“On Yemen, the President and the Crown Prince discussed the threat the Houthis pose to the region, assisted by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps,” it said.

Later Crown Prince Muhammad met Republican and Democratic congressional leaders including Speaker of the House Paul Ryan.

The Crown Prince reaffirmed the importance of the Kingdom’s institutional relationship with all branches of the US government.

He highlighted the unprecedented levels of cooperation and the historic partnership between the two countries, and briefed the members on the Kingdom’s plans for economic transformation through Vision 2030, including recent reforms to empower women and youth in Saudi society.

The Crown Prince noted during these meetings the opportunities presented by the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to develop an even closer economic relationship between Saudi Arabia and the United States, and the investment and trade agreements already in place that will create thousands of jobs in both countries.

He underscored Saudi Arabia’s commitment to its leading role concerning countering terrorism and extremism in close cooperation with the US.

The Crown Prince also discussed the situation in Yemen, and how the two countries can work together toward a political solution while countering the threat posed by Iran and the Iran-backed Houthi militias, particularly the threat of Iranian ballistic missiles, and threats to strategic maritime shipping that threaten to destabilize the Gulf region at large.

The Crown Prince also briefed members on the Kingdom’s efforts to address and alleviate the humanitarian situation in Yemen through the Yemen Comprehensive Humanitarian Operation Plan.

Crown Prince Muhammad also met Senators Dan Sullivan, Tom Cotton, Joe Manchin, and Lindsay Graham. “These meeting emphasized the importance of communicating directly and openly with partners in the US Congress,” said a Saudi Embassy statement.

“The meetings further demonstrated that the Kingdom’s relationship with the United States is multidimensional. The Saudi-American partnership is historic and strategic, and it continues to grow and institutionalize.”

The Crown Prince discussed various topics, including the various cooperative efforts to countering terrorism and extremism, the threat of Iran, the need to support the Yemeni people by putting pressure on the Iran-backed Houthi militias to end the conflict, the great transformation happening within the Kingdom as it is manifested in Vision 2030, and the Kingdom’s drive for economic diversification.

The Crown Prince emphasized the importance of the Saudi-American alliance, and lauded the Kingdom’s partners in the US for their efforts in developing and enhancing the bilateral relations between both nations.

Crown Prince Muhammad also held talks with White House chief adviser Jared Kushner and Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt. They discussed developments in the Middle East peace process.

According to the Saudi embassy in Washington, there was also discussion about the future of the Middle East peace plan and the common interest in finding a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict “in the best way possible.”

Agenda of discussions

— Kingdom’s economic transformation through Vision 2030

— Closer economic relationship between Kingdom and US

— Commitment to fighting terrorism and extremism in close cooperation with US

— Countering Iran’s destabilizing role and neutralizing Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen

— Kingdom’s efforts to address and alleviate the humanitarian situation in Yemen through the Yemen Comprehensive Humanitarian Operation Plan

— Threat of Iranian ballistic missiles, and threats to strategic maritime shipping