US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said - today, Saturday - that Saudi Arabia is an important security partner, and that his country will continue to defend it against any external threat.
In a tweet on his Twitter account, Blinken added that he confirmed, in his first phone call yesterday with his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan, to "revive diplomatic efforts to end the conflict in Yemen and promote human rights."
For his part, State Department spokesman Ned Price affirmed - in a statement - that the two ministers "discussed regional security, combating terrorism and cooperation in order to prevent attacks against the Kingdom," as well as "defending" it against these attacks.
He added, "The foreign minister indicated basic priorities for the new government, among them the promotion of human rights and efforts to end the war in Yemen."
In turn, the Saudi Press Agency reported - Friday evening - that Faisal bin Farhan "congratulated his American counterpart on his assumption of the new position, expressing the Kingdom's aspiration to work with the United States of America to face common challenges and maintain security and stability in the region."
The agency said that the two foreign ministers discussed "the historical and strategic relations between the two friendly countries, in addition to a number of issues of common concern."
The call comes shortly after US President Joe Biden announced the withdrawal of military support for Saudi-led operations in Yemen, in his first speech on the foreign policy of his administration since the end of Donald Trump's term.
He affirmed that his administration is "strengthening its diplomatic efforts to end the war in Yemen," which "has caused a humanitarian and strategic catastrophe."