Speaking on the signing by Russia and Saudi Arabia of a military cooperation agreement between the two countries, a spokesman for the US State Department, on the American Arabic-language television channel - "Alhora" said: "I urge all US partners and allies to refrain from major new deals with the Russian defense sector, as described clearly in section 231 of the United States Antitrust Law during the CAATSA Sanctions Period.

"We are aware of reports that Saudi Arabia and the Russian Federation have signed a military cooperation agreement," said the spokesman, who preferred not to be identified. "The United States and Saudi Arabia continue to establish a close and lasting security partnership," the spokesman said in an anonymous statement.

"We are in constant dialogue with our Saudi partners to advance our commitment to assist in the defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," the spokesman added.