US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Saudi Foreign Minister Discuss Regional Security and Yemen

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud at the State Department in Washington, DC, on September 28, 2026, to discuss regional security cooperation, including shipping safety in the Strait of Hormuz and escalating hostilities in Yemen.

The discussions in Washington, DC, on Monday coincided with the eighth month of the US-Israel war on Iran, while diplomatic efforts remain at a stalemate with mediators continuing to pass messages between the parties. The conflict has notably expanded into Yemen, where Iran-backed Houthis have initiated an offensive along the Red Sea coast and targeted Saudi Arabia, including airports and oil infrastructure.

In a post on X, Marco Rubio stated that he and Prince Faisal addressed bilateral cooperation in regional security and stability, specifically mentioning Iran, Gaza, Sudan, and Yemen. The Saudi SPA state news agency reported that the two diplomats reviewed security and political developments in the region, the situation in Yemen, and ongoing efforts to address it.

The discussions also covered the protection of navigation security and freedom of passage through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandeb strait off the Yemeni coast, which the news agency noted contributes to regional stability and the continuous flow of trade. Both ministers emphasized the importance of continued diplomatic coordination on regional crises.

This meeting followed US media reports indicating that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had requested US military assistance against the Houthis in Yemen. Sources cited by the Reuters news agency revealed that Washington declined to execute direct strikes but agreed to supply intelligence and targeting support.

Additionally, Marco Rubio held separate talks with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who appealed for US assistance in enforcing a US-brokered ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel. Lebanon became entangled in the US-Israel war on Iran after the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah initiated attacks on northern Israel following the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on the conflict's first day and ongoing Israeli attacks on Lebanese territory. Currently, Israel occupies approximately 6 percent of Lebanon.

The US-brokered agreement, signed in June, outlines a phased Israeli withdrawal from southern areas alongside the deployment of the Lebanese army to disarm Hezbollah. However, implementation has stalled after initial deployments due to Hezbollah refusing to surrender its weaponry and demanding an Israeli withdrawal first.

Following the meeting, Nawaf Salam released a statement urging practical steps and tangible results on the ground to secure a full Israeli withdrawal and place all weapons under state control. He stressed the necessity of a clear timetable and a credible verification mechanism to monitor progress and prevent minor failures from derailing the entire agreement. Furthermore, the prime minister sought US and international backing for relief, reconstruction, the return of displaced persons, and ongoing support for the Lebanese army.