Saudi Crown Prince, Trump Discuss Expanding Partnership Between the 2 Countries

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald Trump during a meeting in 2019. AFP
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald Trump during a meeting in 2019. AFP
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Saudi Crown Prince, Trump Discuss Expanding Partnership Between the 2 Countries

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald Trump during a meeting in 2019. AFP
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald Trump during a meeting in 2019. AFP

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald Trump discussed ways for more cooperation between Riyadh and Washington and expanding their partnership.

During a phone conversation on Wednesday evening, the Crown Prince conveyed the congratulations of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his own congratulations to the President on the occasion of his inauguration, and wished the friendly American people more progress and prosperity under Trump’s leadership.

The two leaders discussed ways for cooperation between the Kingdom and the US to promote peace, security and stability in the Middle East, in addition to enhancing bilateral cooperation to combat terrorism.

The leaders also discussed ways to enhance bilateral ties in various areas, and the Crown Prince noted the US administration’s ability to create unprecedented economic prosperity and opportunity through anticipated reforms in the United States, and that the Kingdom seeks to participate in these opportunities for partnership and investment.

The Crown Prince affirmed Saudi Arabia's intention to broaden its investments and trade with the US over the next four years, in the amount of $600 billion, and potentially beyond that.

The President expressed his appreciation and thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince for their congratulations, and affirmed his keenness to work with the Kingdom on all that falls in the interest of both countries.



Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns Iranian Attempts to Target Türkiye, Azerbaijan

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
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Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns Iranian Attempts to Target Türkiye, Azerbaijan

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned on Thursday Iran's attempts to target Türkiye and Azerbaijan.

The Kingdom stressed that “these cowardly attempts and Iran's repeated blatant aggression against countries in the region reveal a hostile approach that cannot be justified.”

This behavior “clearly violates international laws, norms, and the principles of good neighborliness while pushing the region toward further escalation,” the ministry said.

The Kingdom expressed its full solidarity with the governments and peoples of Türkiye and Azerbaijan, affirming their right to protect their security, airspace, territorial integrity, and citizens, and commended their efforts to avoid escalation and maintain regional security and stability.


6 Injured in Abu Dhabi by Debris from Intercepted Drone

FILE PHOTO: Smoke billows from Zayed port after an Iranian attack in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, March 1, 2026. REUTERS/Abdelhadi Ramahi/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Smoke billows from Zayed port after an Iranian attack in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, March 1, 2026. REUTERS/Abdelhadi Ramahi/File Photo
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6 Injured in Abu Dhabi by Debris from Intercepted Drone

FILE PHOTO: Smoke billows from Zayed port after an Iranian attack in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, March 1, 2026. REUTERS/Abdelhadi Ramahi/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Smoke billows from Zayed port after an Iranian attack in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, March 1, 2026. REUTERS/Abdelhadi Ramahi/File Photo

Falling debris from an intercepted drone injured six people in the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi on Thursday, the UAE's media office said.

"Authorities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi responded to an incident involving falling debris at two locations in the ICAD 2 area, following the successful interception of a drone by air defenses.

The incident resulted in six minor to moderate injuries to Pakistani and Nepalese nationals," Abu Dhabi media office said in a statement.


EU-GCC Ministerial Meeting Convenes Thursday to Discuss Iranian Crisis

Life returns to normal in Kuwait after Iranian missiles and drones were intercepted (AFP). 
Life returns to normal in Kuwait after Iranian missiles and drones were intercepted (AFP). 
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EU-GCC Ministerial Meeting Convenes Thursday to Discuss Iranian Crisis

Life returns to normal in Kuwait after Iranian missiles and drones were intercepted (AFP). 
Life returns to normal in Kuwait after Iranian missiles and drones were intercepted (AFP). 

A European official revealed that the foreign ministers of the European Union and their counterparts from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are scheduled to hold virtual talks Thursday to discuss the war in the region. The meeting was called for by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas.

Christophe Farnaud, the EU Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the meeting comes at a critical moment for both sides and will provide an opportunity to express solidarity, exchange views and positions, and explore frameworks for joint cooperation.

He added that Iran’s attacks and its violation of the sovereignty of the EU’s partners in the region cannot be justified, stressing the EU’s solidarity with all its Gulf partners.

The European diplomat said the EU’s close engagement with Gulf countries reflects its support for efforts to de-escalate tensions and encourage constructive dialogue.

He continued that both sides must also look ahead, emphasizing that the European Union is committed to strengthening and deepening its strategic partnership with GCC partners, advancing cooperation across all fields, and reinforcing their shared commitment to peace, security, and prosperity.

The virtual meeting, called by Kaja Kallas, comes amid escalating violence in the region following the US-Israeli attack on Iran.

EU foreign ministers had already held an emergency online meeting on Sunday, during which they reviewed the US and Israeli attacks on Iran and the repercussions of the reported assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader.

They are also seeking to define a unified European position toward the ongoing crisis, while discussing the situation of energy markets, regional stability, and the status of EU citizens in the region.