Saudi, Gulf Leaders Welcome Election of Iran’s Pezeshkian

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. (SPA)
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Saudi, Gulf Leaders Welcome Election of Iran’s Pezeshkian

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated the new president of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, on his election victory.
“On the occasion of your victory in the presidential elections in the Islamic Republic of Iran, we are pleased to send you our sincere congratulations and best wishes for success, looking forward to continuing to develop relations between our two brotherly countries and peoples, and continuing coordination and consultation in order to enhance regional and international peace and security.”

“We wish you good health and happiness, and the brotherly people of the Islamic Republic of Iran, further progress and prosperity,” the King was quoted as saying in an SPA report.
The Saudi Crown Prince expressed his “sincere congratulations and best wishes for success and further progress for your country and brotherly people,” highlighting his “keenness to develop and deepen relations that unite our two countries and peoples, and serve our common interests,” SPA reported.
King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa also felicitated Pezeshkian upon his election win.
King Hamad said that Bahrain seeks to establish outstanding relations with Iran based on cooperation and strengthen strong relations with it in a way that benefits both countries and the two nations.
In a warm gesture of diplomacy, Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent a congratulatory cable to Iran's newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Saturday also congratulated Pezeshkian on his victory in Iran’s presidential elections.
“I wish him success in his role and look forward to working together to further strengthen ties between the UAE and Iran for the benefit of our two nations and peoples,” Sheikh Mohamed said on X.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, also looks forward to the UAE and Iran "working together to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the region", his message on X read.
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, sent a similar message.
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim wished Pezeshkian success “in serving his country towards further prosperity and development in a way that benefits the region and the world.”
The Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq is also among the leaders who congratulated Pezeshkian on the victory.
Pezeshkian, Iran’s only reformist candidate in the latest presidential election, has risen from relative obscurity to become the ninth president of the country.
He won around 53.6% of the vote in a runoff election against the ultraconservative Saeed Jalili.
 



Saudi Foreign Minister, Pakistani Counterpart Review Relations, Discuss Latest Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah (R) and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Ishaq Dar (L). (Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah (R) and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Ishaq Dar (L). (Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
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Saudi Foreign Minister, Pakistani Counterpart Review Relations, Discuss Latest Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah (R) and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Ishaq Dar (L). (Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah (R) and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Ishaq Dar (L). (Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held phone talks on Friday with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Ishaq Dar, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the call, the two sides reviewed the brotherly relations between the two countries, discussed the latest developments, and affirmed continued coordination and consultation in this regard.


Saudi Crown Prince, Italian PM Discuss Fallout of Military Escalation in the Region

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, meets Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Jeddah (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, meets Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Jeddah (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince, Italian PM Discuss Fallout of Military Escalation in the Region

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, meets Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Jeddah (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, meets Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Jeddah (SPA)

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Jeddah on Friday to review bilateral ties and explore ways to strengthen cooperation.

The two officials also discussed regional developments, including the risks of ongoing military escalation to global trade, energy security, and the world economy, while stressing coordination to support Middle East stability.

Meloni’s visit marks the first by a European Union leader to the region since the outbreak of the US-Israeli war on Iran on February 28, according to Reuters.

In an interview with Italian state television, Meloni said her country stands with Gulf states against Iranian attacks, describing them as “friends and strategic partners,” and calling her visit “a gesture of solidarity.”

Speaking from Jeddah, she stated that her trip is primarily focused on oil, noting that Gulf countries supply about 15% of Italy’s needs. She stressed the importance of securing stable energy supplies.

Meloni arrived in Jeddah Friday and was received at King Abdulaziz International Airport by Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region and other Saudi figures.


Islamic Ministers’ Executive Council Condemns Iran’s Attacks on the Region

Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Al Alsheikh addresses the conference. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Al Alsheikh addresses the conference. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Islamic Ministers’ Executive Council Condemns Iran’s Attacks on the Region

Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Al Alsheikh addresses the conference. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Al Alsheikh addresses the conference. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Executive Council of the Conference of Ministers of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs condemned the deliberate Iranian attacks on Saudi Arabia, the Gulf and Jordan, accusing Tehran of seeking to destabilize the region, terrorize civilians, kill innocents and target homes, infrastructure, desalination plants, airports and diplomatic missions.

In a statement after a virtual meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the council said the attacks violated Islamic values and principles, good neighborliness, international treaties and international law, and posed a threat to international peace and security.

The council said the attacks could not be justified under any pretext and called on Iran to halt them immediately and stop supporting, funding or arming affiliated militias.

Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance and Chairman of the council Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Al Alsheikh urged condemnation of the heinous attacks by Iran and its militias on Saudi Arabia, Gulf Cooperation Council states and Jordan.

He said the attacks violated Islamic principles and international laws, undermined regional security and reflected a reckless attempt to push the region toward chaos and strife.

Alsheikh said Saudi Arabia and its leadership were capable of defending the country, protecting Islamic holy sites and confronting any threat to its security and resources.

The Kingdom had strengthened national unity, with citizens rallying behind the leadership and supporting its decisions, he added.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, the minister said the meeting came at a time of “abnormal circumstances” in the Muslim world marked by rising aggression.

He accused Iran of carrying out daily hostile acts, including launching drones and missiles without justification toward Saudi Arabia, Gulf states and Jordan, and said those countries remained steadfast, strong and aware of their responsibilities toward their religion, leadership and nations.