Under the title "First Visit Since Biden Took Office: Details of Khalid bin Salman’s Visit to Washington," Al-Hurra reported that Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Defense, Prince Khalid bin Salman, will visit the United States next week. This visit is noted to be the highest-level visit by a Saudi official since President Joe Biden took office in January, according to the Wall Street Journal.
During his visit, Khalid bin Salman, who previously served as Saudi ambassador to Washington, is expected to meet with senior officials from the State Department, Department of Defense, and the White House, including National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, as reported by the U.S. newspaper. The agenda includes several issues, such as security matters in Iraq and Syria, efforts to mediate a ceasefire in Yemen, the situation in Israel and the Palestinian territories, and Saudi concerns regarding the Biden administration's negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program.
Officials indicated that it is not expected for the younger brother of the Saudi Crown Prince to meet with President Biden. The National Security Council declined to comment.
Prince Khalid bin Salman had previously visited Washington after leaving his post at his country's embassy in the United States. Last week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Summit in Rome, which is considered the highest-level meeting between officials from Washington and Riyadh.
Blinken discussed mutual interests with Faisal bin Farhan, focusing on the situations in Lebanon and Yemen. He stated, "We talked about our shared goal of achieving a ceasefire and moving toward a political process in Yemen, as well as the ongoing progress in human rights and economic reforms in the Kingdom."
