Iran on the agenda as King Salman meets US House speaker

Visit underlines strength of growing Saudi-US relations

The two leaders discussed a range of bilateral issues and regional stability when they met at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. Ryan was accompanied by a number of heads of committees, deputies and advisers at the House of Representatives.

Ryan also held talks with Shoura Council chairman Sheikh Abdullah Al-Asheikh, Jacob A. Williams, deputy press attache at the US Embassy in Riyadh, told Arab News.

AshLee Strong, Ryan’s spokeswoman, said: “The bipartisan congressional delegation is pleased to be welcomed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to discuss the United States’ shared interests in regional stability and combating terrorism and Iranian aggression.”

After the meetings in Riyadh the visiting delegation left for Jeddah, said Williams.

The delegation discussed diplomatic relations between the Kingdom and the US with senior officials, besides a range of strategic issues including cooperation between the Committee of Friendship and the House of Representatives.

Ryan’s visit to the Kingdom is highly significant in the wake of continuously developing Saudi-US relations.

Notably, Saudi Arabia became the first stop for US President Donald Trump on his debut foreign visit in May after being sworn in, in January 2017.

Significantly, this was the first time that a US president had made Saudi Arabia the first stop on a maiden foreign trip after taking office.

A delegation from the Shoura Council visited the House of Representatives Speaker in his office at the US Congress in May 2017 and stressed the importance of further enhancing Saudi-US relations.

RIYADH: Keeping Iranian interference in check for peace and security in the region was high on the agenda when King Salman and visiting US House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan held talks Wednesday.