UPDATE - Israeli, Saudi officials visit US for Iran talks amid military buildup: Report

ADDS SAUDI CONFIRMATION OF THE VISIT

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - Defense and intelligence officials from Israel and Saudi Arabia are visiting the US this week to discuss Iran amid a US military buildup in the region, Axios reported Thursday, citing sources.

Gen. Shlomi Binder, the head of Israel’s military intelligence, conducted a series of high-level consultations Tuesday and Wednesday with top leadership at the Pentagon, the CIA and the White House, according to two American officials.

The visit was said to be centered on delivering specific intelligence requested by the Trump administration, including data on potential strike targets within Iran.

In contrast, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman is expected to emphasize diplomatic avenues during his Thursday and Friday meetings with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, envoy Steve Witkoff and Pentagon officials.

The Saudi Defense Ministry said Salman and an accompanying delegation arrived in Washington for a visit that "aims to discuss bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and ways to strengthen them, as well as to address topics and issues of common interest.”

Saudi Arabia, who have been passing messages between Washington and Tehran, said earlier it would not allow the US to use its airspace in an attack.

The diplomatic friction occurs as the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group arrives to finalize a naval "armada" that President Donald Trump recently claimed is "bigger than" the force previously deployed to Venezuela.

"The directive at the moment is to prepare," a US official noted, suggesting that the president is rapidly approaching a final decision on military action.

The US nor Israel have commented on the report by Axios.

Trump has demanded Iran make a deal on its nuclear program before it is too late, warning that this time an attack would be "far worse." The US had bombed three Iranian nuclear sites in June during Tehran's 12-day war with Israel.

Iran said its civil nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, but the West argues it is developing a nuclear weapon. The US has also expressed concerns about Iran's ballistic missile program.

The developments come amid recent unrest and protests in Iran about worsening economic conditions due to a sharp depreciation in the local currency.