File photo of U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud discussed Iran and regional issues here on Monday, amid tensions in the Middle East following the killing of a top Iranian general by a U.S. airstrike.

The U.S. State Department said in a statement that Pompeo discussed with the Saudi deputy defense minister the killing of Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), on Friday in Baghdad.

"The Secretary underscored that the United States does not seek war with Iran and remains committed to de-escalation, " the statement said.

The death of Soleimani has sparked outrage and revenge threats from Tehran, raising fear of an uncontrolled escalation in the region.