Trump calls King Salman to discuss oil, regional issues

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman received a telephone call from US President Donald Trump on Saturday, in which both leaders discussed the stability of the global oil market as well as topics of regional interest, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said.

The phone call came days after Trump tweeted that the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) should pump more oil into the market to hold down prices. The US President has asked OPEC to stabilize prices several times this year. His latest criticism of the group came during his speech at the United Nations on Sept. 25. 

During OPEC's meeting in Algiers on Sept. 23, Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih said OPEC did not control oil prices and that it "has met the demand for every barrel that has been requested."

During the call, King Salman and Trump also discussed developing the "strategic partnership" between both countries, it was reported. 

Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, surged on Friday to a fresh 4-year high above $83 a barrel as the market braces for the impact of the US energy sanctions on Iran.