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Saudi crown prince, US CENTCOM chief discuss efforts to ease regional tensions
The Saudi Defence Ministry describes the meeting as a 'key step' towards activating the alliance.
Saudi crown prince, US CENTCOM chief discuss efforts to ease regional tensions
[FILE] Talks between Adm. Brad Cooper (right) and Mohammed bin Salman covered Saudi-US defence cooperation and regional developments. (Reuters)

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US Central Command (CENTCOM) chief Admiral Brad Cooper discussed efforts to reduce regional tensions on Thursday.

Crown Prince Mohammed received Cooper for a meeting, the official Saudi Press Agency reported, without specifying where the talks were held.

The two sides discussed Saudi-US cooperation in defence fields, regional developments, and ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions and strengthen security and stability across the region, the news agency added.

On Thursday, Saudi Arabia announced that 13 countries had formally joined a multinational defensive maritime alliance, marking its effective launch.

The Saudi Defence Ministry said the alliance’s third planning meeting was held at the Western Fleet Command in the coastal city of Jeddah, with representatives from 39 countries participating.

The ministry described the meeting as a "key step" towards activating the alliance.

The Strait of Hormuz has seen escalating tensions amid the US war on Iran, raising fears of disruptions to shipping and global energy supplies despite diplomatic efforts to consolidate agreements on freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway.

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SOURCE:AA