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Immediate Release

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Saudi Minister of Defense, His Royal Highness Khalid bin Salman

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Saudi Minister of Defense His Royal Highness Khalid bin Salman yesterday to review U.S. efforts to promote security in the Middle East. The Secretary underscored the United States' longstanding commitment to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's defense and the importance of the U.S.-Saudi defense partnership to regional security. The Secretary and the Minister committed to continued close bilateral cooperation to enhance deterrence against shared threats, including from Iran and Iran-backed groups, and the Secretary thanked Saudi Arabia for its efforts to promote calm in the region. The leaders discussed the need for all parties to contribute to a restoration of stability and responsible governance in Lebanon. The Secretary underscored that the United States maintains significant capability in the region to support the defense of U.S. regional partners, protect U.S. personnel, and deter aggression.