RIYADH, Saudi Arabia: Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman met Admiral Brad Cooper on August 13. The Saudi-US defence talks in Jeddah addressed tensions in the Middle East.
The Saudi Press Agency said Cooper, commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), discussed defence cooperation and regional developments.
The officials also reviewed efforts to reduce escalation and strengthen security, the agency said. SPA did not announce an agreement or provide further details about the meeting.
The talks came as Saudi Arabia advanced a multinational maritime defence coalition, according to the Saudi Defence Ministry.
Thirteen countries completed accession procedures, while delegates from 39 countries attended the coalition’s third planning meeting in Jeddah.
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The ministry said the coalition would protect navigation, trade routes and energy supply lines across key regional waterways.
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Pakistan will provide the coalition’s first deputy commander. Saudi Rear Admiral Abdullah bin Salem Al-Shehri will serve as commander, Arab News reported. Saudi officials said the defensive coalition does not target any country, organisation or alliance.
