Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke today with the Saudi Minister of Defense, His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Salman to discuss the longstanding U.S. security partnership with Saudi Arabia, as well as to consult on the situation in the Middle East region. The Secretary also emphasized the U.S. commitment to supporting the defense of its partners in the region and our commitment to preventing an escalation of the conflict.
He commended Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to end the war in Yemen, and agreed to remain in close touch both directly and through their respective national security teams.