Saudi MBS spoke with the Emir of Kuwait about criticising Iranian strikes on Wednesday. Pakistan's Prime Minister contacted him, calling Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping 'unacceptable.'. In Washington, discussions focus on a planned nuclear pact between Washington and Riyadh. The pact is tied to normal ties with Israel under conditions stipulated 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 security and diplomacy has put the kingdom at the heart of talks across the Gulf. Behind the scenes contacts between Saudi and US envoys have continued over recent weeks, even as blows and counter blows have led the news cycle. A western official said the atomic talks was now woven into the normalisation file. Inside Saudi policy circles, the focus has remained on keeping the kingdom safe, rather than public messaging. In parallel, Tehran is reportedly reviewing options if the nuclear arrangement moves forward, with an Iranian veteran warning of further strain across neighbouring states.