Barack Obama spoke with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia the issue of peace process in the Middle East and the creation of a Palestinian homeland alongside Israel.

The U.S. president and Saudi King met Tuesday and discussed a number of strategic issues including the Iranian nuclear program, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Both men expressed their “strong support” for international efforts to curb Iran’s nuclear program that the West regards as suspect.

Obama has emphasized “the importance of moving ahead quickly and boldly to create a Palestinian homeland that can exist side by side with an Israeli state secure and prosperous.”

King Abdullah spoke briefly after the interview, thanking Obama for his hospitality and welcoming the friendship between their two countries. The king told his host that he supports the peace initiative in the Middle East, said the White House after the interview.

Obama and King Abdullah expressed the hope that “proximity talks between Israelis and Palestinians could lead to the resumption of direct negotiations with the goal of two states living side by side in peace and security,” the statement from the President U.S..

Observers believe that the Saudis want Obama to take a tougher stance against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the issue of peace negotiations and the freezing of Jewish settlements in the occupied territories.

Netanyahu is to meet Obama on July 6.