Trump meets Saudi deputy crown prince in Oval Office

US President Donald Trump met Tuesday with Mohammed bin Salman, the deputy crown prince of Saudi Arabia, at the White House. Close advisors to the Saudi prince said after the meeting that the two leaders discussed issues related to security, energy and regional cooperation with other Gulf states. Saudi Arabia, which opposes the nuclear deal with Iran and is fighting the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, sees tightening of relations with the US as an issue of highest strategic and economic importance. The meeting was attended by Vice President Mike Pence, Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, top presidential advisor Steve Bannon and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law as well as advisor on Middle East affairs. DEBKAfile's sources report that Kushner's presence indicates Saudi Arabia's role in a future Middle East peace agreement between Israel, the Palestinians and Arab countries.