Israeli, Saudi officials visit Washington to discuss possible Iran strikes

PHOTO CAPTION: Illustrative photo — The White House in Washington, D.C. (Reuters)

The Trump administration is hosting senior defense and intelligence officials from Israel and Saudi Arabia for talks on Iran this week as U.S. President Donald Trump considers military strikes, Axios reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter. 

Reuters could not immediately verify the report. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

Uncertainty over the possibility of military action in Iran has lingered after Trump said last week that an "armada" was heading toward the country but that he hoped he would not have to use it.

The Israelis traveled to Washington to share intelligence on potential targets inside Iran, while Saudi officials sought to help avert a wider regional war by pushing for a diplomatic solution, the Axios report said.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that Riyadh would not allow its airspace or territory to be used for military actions against Tehran, state news agency SPA reported earlier this week.

 (Reporting by Devika Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Alex Richardson and Alison Williams // REUTERS)