WASHINGTON — Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin affirmed Thursday the US is "committed" to strong partnership with Saudi Arabia.

"It was a pleasure to meet with the Saudi Vice Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman during his visit for the US-Saudi Strategic Joint Planning Committee," Austin tweeted.

"I share Saudi concerns over Iran's destabilizing activities in the region and I welcome the Kingdom's constructive efforts in advancing the current Yemen truce, which should be extended," he added.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon said in a statement that the US and Saudi Arabia held the "US-Saudi Strategic Joint Planning Committee (SJPC) at the Pentagon on May 17-18.

"The SJPC is the premier bilateral security forum for senior US and Saudi and defense officials to discuss ongoing security concerns and military cooperation with the aim of advancing the US-Saudi defense relationship," the statement noted.

It indicated that Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Dr. Colin Kahl led the US delegation alongside Prince Khalid for the Saudi delegation. — Agencies