Saudi Mohammed bin Salman spoke with the Emir of Kuwait about condemning Iranian attacks on Wednesday. Pakistani PM contacted him, calling Yemeni Houthi strikes on shipping 'wrong.outrageous.'. In Washington, discussions centre on a planned US Saudi nuclear deal. The pact is tied to normal ties with Israel under conditions outlined by ex president Donald Trump. Iranian officials are examining how the talks might alter regional power balances. Analysts note that the pair of tracks of defence talks and statecraft has put the kingdom at the heart of Middle Eastern statecraft. Quiet channels between Saudi and US envoys have continued through recent weeks, even as strikes and counter strikes have grabbed the news. A US aligned envoy said the atomic talks was now woven into the Israel file. Within Saudi planning rooms, the focus has remained on defence and deterrence, rather than the optics of the talks. In parallel, Iran is reportedly reviewing options if the US Saudi pact moves forward, with a veteran Iranian official warning of fresh pressure across the wider Middle East.