Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman told Vice President JD Vance during an urgent White House meeting Wednesday that Saudi Arabia continues to favor de-escalation with Iran despite taking part in joint U.S.-Saudi strikes against pro-Iranian militias in Iraq, according to Axios.

The meeting was intended to deliver a message from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about the war with Iran and the broader regional situation. Prince Khalid, the crown prince’s brother and close confidant, told Vance that the attacks on Saudi infrastructure and energy facilities by pro-Iranian Iraqi militias had crossed a red line and forced the kingdom to respond.

“The Crown Prince wanted to convey to Vance that the strikes in Iraq don’t mean that Saudi Arabia is pro-escalation but rather that it is ready to defend itself if needed,” a source familiar with the meeting said.

Saudi and U.S. forces carried out coordinated strikes Tuesday against pro-Iranian militias in Iraq. U.S. Central Command said the operation came in response to more than 30 drone attacks directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and carried out against targets in Saudi Arabia over the previous 72 hours.

Prince Khalid also told Vance that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing for escalation with Iran, while Saudi Arabia believes de-escalation offers a more productive path, according to the source.

The Saudi defense minister further said Riyadh is capable of handling the situation with the Houthis and does not currently need direct U.S. involvement. Saudi Arabia is also holding negotiations with the Houthis, the source said.

The kingdom reportedly viewed the strikes in Iraq as necessary not only to answer attacks by Iranian-backed militias, but also to send a warning to the Houthis in Yemen and deter them from carrying out similar attacks against Saudi Arabia.

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