Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman meets President Trump in Washington

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman met U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on 29 July 2026, a session that also included senior U.S. officials such as Vice President Kamala Harris. The talks focused on recent Iran‑backed attacks on Saudi interests in eastern Iraq and Yemen and conveyed a message from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urging de‑escalation while affirming Saudi readiness to defend its energy and political assets.

During the same Washington visit the minister pressed for the completion of a planned purchase of F‑35 fighter jets, a deal announced by President Trump alongside a pledge of nearly $1 trillion in Saudi investment commitments. U.S. lawmakers are expected to scrutinise the sale over concerns about preserving Israel’s military edge, and the broader arrangement is tied to the recent Saudi‑U.S. nuclear agreement and the Abraham Accords framework for regional normalisation.