US secretary in Saudi Arabia amid drone attack threats from Iran

US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, met on Monday with Saudi Arabia’s rulers as he sought to coordinate with allies over soaring tensions with Iran.

Pompeo opened talks with the powerful crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman. The top US diplomat was due to fly later Monday to the United Arab Emirates, AP news reports.

Both Saudi and Emirati leaders advocate a tough US approach against regional rival Iran, whose shooting down of a drone prompted President Donald Trump to order a military strike before changing his mind.

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Pompeo, speaking to reporters as he left Washington, called Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates two great allies in the challenge that Iran presents.

Iran says that the US drone encroached its airspace, a charge that Washington denies.

It also accused Washington of waging economic warfare by imposing sanctions, including trying to stop all its oil exports.

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