WASHINGTON (TNND) — As a myriad of complex situations around the globe develop, the State Department says it is working to strengthen partnerships overseas as President Donald Trump prepares to head to Saudi Arabia next week.

Deputy Spokesperson for the State Department Tommy Pigott spoke with The National News Desk on Friday about India-Pakistan relations, President Trump's upcoming visit to the Middle East, Iran's nuclear capabilities and the Russia-Ukraine war.

India-Pakistan attacks

The Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has been in contact with national security officials from both countries. And what is expressed, to both those countries, is we need to see open lines of communication, and we need to avoid escalation," Pigott said.

As for whether Rubio has gotten any assurances from either side on avoiding further escalation of both countries who have access to nuclear power, Pigott will not speculate.

I'm not going to talk about or speculate on private diplomatic conversations, given the dynamic, dynamic nature of the situation. But the Secretary did speak to national security officials from both countries and again expressed the need for open communication and to encourage both parties to avoid escalation."

Trump's trip to the Middle East

"Look, this is about strengthening our partnerships, this is about pursuing our common interests. The president is the best dealmaker in the world. He's a peacemaker. He's out there all the time representing America. And what we're seeing is the president going out there again, making sure that we're advancing that common interest for an America First perspective. But when that happens, we're seeing areas to collaborate for that bilateral relationship between countries to pursue those interests we have in common," Pigott said.

Possible Iran nuclear deal

We asked Pigott if a possible deal with Iran on nuclear weapons is on Trump's agenda for the trip overseas.

I don't want to speculate on what may come out of this trip at this point, but what I can say when it comes to Iran, the president has been very clear Iran can never have a nuclear weapon, nor have the capacity to develop one. That has been very clear from President Trump. And again, when it comes to the Iranian regime, the president has been very clear and as has the Secretary, that there are two options for Iran. There's a good option and a bad option," Pigott said.

Pigott said the president prefers diplomacy and diplomatic engagement and would not speculate if Trump would also be discussing nuclear power with Saudi Arabia.

Israel and Gaza

Pigott discussed the situation in Gaza briefly and whether or not we will see any new ceasefire developments.

"Well, our approach to this conflict has been guided by two principles. First, the fact that we stand with Israel and Israel's right to defend itself. And the second that Hamas must release the hostages. The secretary has also been very clear, as has the president, that when we're looking at long-term here, long-term solutions, Hamas cannot continue to exist. They have shown that through their own actions, again and again and again, that barbarity of their actions," Pigott said.

We've seen engagement from the highest levels of this administration in order to try to see a ceasefire and then a long and enduring peace," Pigott explained.

Russia and Ukraine

"President Trump has brought the parties closer to peace than ever before. And that is because of the leadership of President Trump," Pigott said.

Pigott said the administration needs to see serious and continual movement toward peace from both parties and if not, they will not have meetings "for the sake of having meetings."

Americans watching at home are probably used to meetings where the big outcome from that meeting is just to schedule another meeting. That's no more. Under President Trump, we're going to have meetings that are about constructive dialogue, about solutions. And we stand ready to aid in the pursuit of peace," Pigott said.

He described the next few days as critical to finding a way forward and that Rubio has had many conversations with other nations about the issue.