Pompeo meets Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, discusses Iran

US secretary of state Mike Pompeo on Monday discussed countering the threat from Iran in the region with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates, the U.S. Mission in the UAE said.

Pompeo arrived in the UAE capital after a visit to Saudi Arabia. A senior U.S. State Department official earlier said the United States is building a coalition with its allies to protect Gulf shipping lanes by having “eyes on all shipping”, following attacks on oil tankers that Washington has blamed on Iran.

Pompeo also held discussions with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on ensuring stability in energy markets and freedom of navigation, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador designate to Washington said.

“Productive discussions … reinforcing the importance of our strategic ties, stressing the need to deter aggressive behaviour in our region, promoting freedom of navigation and ensuring stability of energy markets,” Ambassador designate Reema Bandar Al-Saud said on Twitter.

Productive discussions between His Majesty @KingSalman, HRH the Crown Prince & @SecPompeo reinforcing the importance of our strategic ties, stressing the need to deter aggressive behavior in our region, promoting freedom of navigation and ensuring stability of energy markets. pic.twitter.com/6AWMpRBtwQ

— Reema Bandar Al-Saud (@rbalsaud) June 24, 2019