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Saudi Arabia, US Agree to Boost Bilateral Cooperation in Space for Peaceful Purposes

Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah al-Swaha with the Saudi delegation and US officials (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah al-Swaha with the Saudi delegation and US officials (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, US Agree to Boost Bilateral Cooperation in Space for Peaceful Purposes

Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah al-Swaha with the Saudi delegation and US officials (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah al-Swaha with the Saudi delegation and US officials (SPA)

Saudi Arabia and the US have agreed to enhance cooperation in outer space exploration and use for peaceful purposes and in commercial opportunities for space industries.

The announcement came during the official visit of the Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Space Commission, Abdullah al-Swaha, to the US.

Swaha chaired a delegation representing the digital economy, space, and innovation system in Saudi Arabia.

Riyadh and Washington issued a joint statement focusing on enhancing cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes and discussing signing a framework agreement on bilateral cooperation in space for peaceful purposes.

Saudi Arabia is a signatory to the Artemis Accords, and it agreed with the US to expand discussions on potential collaborative activities in space, earth sciences, and space missions.

The Saudi Minister confirmed that the joint statement reflects the ambitions of the two friendly countries to expand the strategic partnership to empower people, protect the planet, and form new horizons for cooperation in space, earth sciences, and exploratory missions.

Swaha indicated that this step would contribute to the sector's sustainability, enhance research and development activities, and accelerate the growth of space-related technologies. It would also develop talents and qualify national cadres through exchanging and transferring experiences between the two sides.

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Gulf

GCC Denounces Iranian Attacks on UAE as Dangerous Regional Escalation

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
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GCC Denounces Iranian Attacks on UAE as Dangerous Regional Escalation

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi expressed the council's strongest condemnation of the flagrant Iranian attacks targeting the United Arab Emirates.

He emphasized that this act of aggression constitutes a blatant violation of the sovereignty of a GCC member state and represents a dangerous escalation that threatens the security and stability of the region, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

He stressed that targeting the UAE is unacceptable and reprehensible behavior by all standards, reflecting an escalatory approach that disregards the rules of international law and the principles of good neighborliness.

Furthermore, he called upon the international community to assume its responsibilities to halt these repeated Iranian attacks and put an immediate end to irresponsible actions that undermine regional and international peace and security.

Albudaiwi underlined the GCC’s full and steadfast solidarity with the UAE, standing as a united front in support of all measures taken to protect its security, safeguard its sovereignty, and preserve the safety of its vital facilities.

Gulf

MWL Condemns Iranian Aggression against the UAE

The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
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MWL Condemns Iranian Aggression against the UAE

The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
The Muslim World League (MWL) logo

The Muslim World League (MWL) condemned Iran’s targeting of civilian and economic facilities in the United Arab Emirates, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

In a statement issued by the MWL General Secretariat, Secretary-General and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa condemned Iran's attacks, describing them as criminal acts that violate all religious principles as well as international humanitarian law.

He stressed the league’s full solidarity with the UAE in all measures it takes to safeguard its security, sovereignty, and the safety of its citizens and residents.

On Monday, the United Arab Emirates said it came under attack by Iran for the first time since a fragile ceasefire took hold in early April.

Gulf

Kuwait Renews Egypt Deposit, Reinforcing Bilateral Ties

The Central Bank of Egypt. (Reuters)
The Central Bank of Egypt. (Reuters)
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Kuwait Renews Egypt Deposit, Reinforcing Bilateral Ties

The Central Bank of Egypt. (Reuters)
The Central Bank of Egypt. (Reuters)

Kuwait has renewed its deposit at the Central Bank of Egypt, a move that reinforces ties between the two countries.

Kuwait’s ambassador to Egypt Ghanem Saqr Al-Ghanem told Asharq Al-Awsat the extension followed “a thorough study” and reflects Kuwait’s commitment to supporting Egypt’s economy as “a fundamental pillar of Arab and regional security.”

He added that relations between the two countries are “at their best.”

Al-Ghanem described the decision as “a new step reflecting the strength of the special and strategic relations between the two brotherly countries,” adding it confirms continued Kuwaiti support for Egypt amid regional and international challenges.

He noted that the renewal highlights Kuwait’s commitment to Egypt’s economic stability and reflects “deep-rooted ties, shared interests and solidarity in facing regional challenges.”

An Egyptian banking expert told Asharq Al-Awsat the extension will bolster foreign currency reserves, support the economy and “shut down rumors” that the deposit would not be renewed.

The step underscores strong relations and is likely to enhance future partnership and investment between the two countries, he added.

A report by the Central Bank of Egypt on the country’s external position said Kuwait renewed a $2 billion deposit that had been due to mature in September 2025, extending it to September 2026.

The report, cited by Egyptian media on Sunday, said Kuwaiti deposits consist of two tranches of $2 billion each. One has been extended to next September, while the other matured in April. The report, which covers the first quarter of the current fiscal year, did not specify whether the April tranche was also renewed.

It added that long-term Arab deposits at the central bank stood at $9.3 billion at the end of September 2025, including $5.3 billion from Saudi Arabia and $4 billion from Kuwait, split across two deposits renewed annually in April and September.

In December 2025, Kuwait renewed a separate $2 billion deposit for another year through April 2026 to support Egypt’s foreign currency reserves, according to the same report.

Banking expert Mohamed Abdel Aal said the latest extension will support Egypt’s economy across key indicators, particularly reserves, and could pave the way for deeper cooperation, whether through continued deposits or converting them into investments that strengthen bilateral partnership.