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Saudi Arabia, Spain Sign Agreement to Build Naval Combat Vessels for Saudi Naval Forces

The agreement is part of the Sarawat project, which concluded its first phase with the construction and delivery of five combat vessels. (SPA)
The agreement is part of the Sarawat project, which concluded its first phase with the construction and delivery of five combat vessels. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Spain Sign Agreement to Build Naval Combat Vessels for Saudi Naval Forces

The agreement is part of the Sarawat project, which concluded its first phase with the construction and delivery of five combat vessels. (SPA)
The agreement is part of the Sarawat project, which concluded its first phase with the construction and delivery of five combat vessels. (SPA)

The Saudi Ministry of Defense signed on Tuesday an executive agreement with its Spanish counterpart to support the construction of three new Avante 2200 corvettes entailing collaboration in training, exchanging experience, and providing technical and logistical support to the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.

The agreement is part of the Sarawat project, which concluded its first phase with the construction and delivery of five combat vessels.

Chief of Staff of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Gharibi and Spanish Admiral General Antonio Pineiro Sanchez jointly endorsed the agreement at the Spanish Naval Staff headquarters.

The agreement aims to deepen ties between the defense ministries, facilitating the augmentation of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces' capabilities through the construction and provision of three additional Avante 2200 corvettes.

These enhanced assets are set to fortify naval readiness in safeguarding Saudi Arabia, protecting its vital interests, and bolstering maritime security in the region, aligning with the strategic aims of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

Moreover, the agreement covers technical assistance from the Spanish Naval Forces throughout the construction phases, encompassing system inspection, testing, crew training, and operational post-delivery and commissioning for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.

The three new vessels mirror the technical and combat specifications of the five vessels from the initial phase of the Sarawat project delivered to the naval forces. Equipped with state-of-the-art combat and engineering systems, they are designed to effectively address air, surface, and subsurface threats.

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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi reaffirmed Iran and Saudi Arabia’s mutual determination to establish lasting peace and stability in the region.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat during his visit to Riyadh, Ravanchi emphasized that achieving this goal requires sustained bilateral and regional cooperation to address current threats and build a foundation for prosperity and security.
During his meetings with the Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed ElKhereiji, Ravanchi discussed strengthening bilateral relations in political, economic, and consular fields, and explored key regional and international issues.
He described Saudi-Iranian efforts as a “successful model of bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” aimed at fostering peace, security, and development on both regional and international levels. Ravanchi underscored the importance of historical ties and the principle of good neighborliness as the basis for advancing this relationship.
Following the second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian trilateral committee in Riyadh, both Saudi Arabia and Iran reiterated their full commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement, according to a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry. The accord, mediated by China, aims to restore diplomatic ties and promote mutual respect for sovereignty and security in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and international law.
China praised the progress achieved since the agreement’s signing, including the reopening of embassies and increased bilateral engagement. It pledged to continue supporting Saudi-Iranian efforts to deepen their cooperation and maintain regional stability.
Ravanchi, who previously served as Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations and was a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team with the P5+1, described the atmosphere of the meetings as “cordial and transparent.” He added that the three nations exchanged views on topics of mutual interest and stressed the importance of continuing this “positive and forward-looking process.” He also revealed “constructive and friendly” meetings held by the Iranian delegation with their Saudi hosts and Chinese counterparts, during which they discussed enhancing bilateral and trilateral cooperation and reviewed developments in relations over the past year.
One significant development has been the improvement in consular services. Over 87,000 Iranian pilgrims performed Hajj, and more than 52,000 completed Umrah in the past year, demonstrating enhanced coordination. Additionally, the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian Joint Media Committee and the signing of an MoU between Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies further strengthened institutional ties.
The trilateral meeting also tackled pressing regional challenges, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The participants condemned Israel’s aggression in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the continuation of humanitarian aid to affected regions. They warned that ongoing violence poses significant risks to regional and global security, including threats to maritime safety.
On Yemen, the parties reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution under United Nations auspices. They emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace in the war-torn country.
Saudi-Iranian relations have undergone a remarkable transformation since the signing of the Beijing Agreement. The reopening of embassies, including Iran’s embassy in Riyadh in June after a seven-year hiatus, marked a turning point in their ties.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Alireza Bigdeli described the day as a “historic milestone” in Saudi-Iranian relations. He expressed confidence that the renewed relationship would reach its peak, emphasizing that the restoration of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia opens a new chapter in bilateral and regional relations, aimed at greater cooperation and stability.