Trump meets with Saudi defense minister, discusses Iran situation

• The talks took place ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Monday meeting with Trump at the White House.
• The Trump administration wants to push for a historic peace deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel in the coming months.

Details: After his meeting with Trump, the Saudi foreign minister spoke on the phone with Chief of Iran's General Staff of the Armed Forces, Maj. Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi.

• "We discussed developments in the region and the efforts being made to maintain security and stability," wrote Bin Salman, who is a younger brother of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
• Bin Salman also met with White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
• The meeting between Trump and the Saudi defense minister was first reported by Fox News.
• The White House didn't immediately respond to Axios' request for comment on Thursday evening.

Driving the news: Witkoff plans to meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Oslo next week to restart nuclear talks, Axios reported on Thursday.

• Araghchi spoke with on the phone on Thursday with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Eide and discussed the efforts to deescalate tensions in the region, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said.
• Trump told reporters on Thursday that Iran wants to speak with the U.S. and "it is time that they do."
• The president said the U.S. doesn't want to hurt Iran. "I know they want to meet and if it is necessary I will do it," he said.

Editor's note: This article has been updated to note that Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman met with White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.