Israel’s new government has stepped up U.S.-backed talks with Saudi Arabia on developing closer military and intelligence ties in light of growing concerns about Iran, according to several people familiar with the discussions.
Officials from the two countries held exploratory meetings ahead of the recent U.S.-Gulf Cooperation Council Working Group gathering on defense and security in Riyadh, six people said, asking not to be identified as the talks are private. Further engagement is expected to take place in Prague to coincide with the Munich Security Conference this weekend, three of the people said.
“We think that other regions integrating and beginning to sit at the same table with Israel is in the interest of stability and security in the region,” U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East, Dana Stroul, said in Riyadh on Monday.
