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Gulf

Khalid bin Salman in Iran, Hands Khamenei Message from King Salman

This handout picture provided by the office of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei shows him (R) meeting with Saudi Arabia's Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman in Tehran on April 17, 2025. (Photo by KHAMENEI.IR / AFP)
This handout picture provided by the office of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei shows him (R) meeting with Saudi Arabia's Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman in Tehran on April 17, 2025. (Photo by KHAMENEI.IR / AFP)
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Khalid bin Salman in Iran, Hands Khamenei Message from King Salman

This handout picture provided by the office of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei shows him (R) meeting with Saudi Arabia's Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman in Tehran on April 17, 2025. (Photo by KHAMENEI.IR / AFP)
This handout picture provided by the office of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei shows him (R) meeting with Saudi Arabia's Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman in Tehran on April 17, 2025. (Photo by KHAMENEI.IR / AFP)

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman held talks in Tehran on Thursday with Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian.

In a post on the X platform, Prince Khalid said he was visiting Iran at the directives of the Saudi leadership, revealing that he had handed Khamenei a written message from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

He added that he discussed with Khamenei issues of common interest and bilateral relations between their countries.

“Ties with Saudi Arabia are beneficial for both countries and we can complement each other,” Khamenei was quoted as saying by Iran’s Tasnim news agency,

The meeting was attended by chief of staff of Iran's Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri.

Prince Khalid was received by Bagheri upon his arrival in Tehran.

“Relations with Saudi Arabia have been witnessing growth and development since the signing of the Beijing Agreement,” Bagheri was quoted as saying by Iranian media.

Tehran and Riyadh can play an important role in ensuring regional security, he added.

Moreover, he said his country was ready to develop defense ties with the Kingdom.

Tehran also “appreciates Saudi Arabia’s position towards Gaza and Palestine,” he said, according to Tasnim.

Prince Khalid’s visit comes amid major regional and international developments.

Saudi and Iranian officials are set to sit down for talks on a number of issues, while Prince Khalid will hold several meetings focused on bilateral relations between Riyadh and Tehran.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, held telephone talks last week with Pezeshkian that covered regional developments and issues of common interests.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqhchi held telephone talks on Monday.

This is second visit by a Saudi defense minister to Tehran since 1979 when late Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz for four days in 1999.

Prince Khalid is the highest-ranking official from the Kingdom to visit Iran since the two countries reached a Chinese-mediated détente in March 2023. FM Prince Faisal visited later that year.

Saudi political analyst Abdel Latif al-Melhem said Prince Khalid’s visit reflects the Saudi leadership’s keenness on bolstering and developing ties with Iran in line with the Beijing Agreement.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Saudi leadership is seeking to achieve peace and prosperity in the region and close the chapter of regional conflicts and embark on a phase of stability and security.

He noted that the development of relations between Riyadh and Tehran can be attributed to the efforts led by Crown Prince Mohammed to achieve peace, security, stability and prosperity in the region.

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Gulf

Albudaiwi: Regional Arrangements Excluding Gulf States Are Rejected

Albudaiwi affirmed that Gulf states had long been a pillar of regional and global stability (GCC)
Albudaiwi affirmed that Gulf states had long been a pillar of regional and global stability (GCC)
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Albudaiwi: Regional Arrangements Excluding Gulf States Are Rejected

Albudaiwi affirmed that Gulf states had long been a pillar of regional and global stability (GCC)
Albudaiwi affirmed that Gulf states had long been a pillar of regional and global stability (GCC)

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi on Thursday called for Gulf states to be included in talks or agreements to resolve the crisis between Iran and the US and Israel.

“We stress the importance of involving GCC countries in any talks or agreements to resolve this crisis, in a way that contributes to strengthening their security and stability,” said Albudaiwi.

He added that the bloc rejected “any arrangements intended to redraw the map of the Middle East after the conflict ends.”

He said the GCC’s first choice was a diplomatic and political solution, describing it as “the wisest and most successful option,” while noting that Gulf states were reviewing all options in line with international law and the UN Charter.

Speaking in Riyadh to Arab and foreign ambassadors, Albudaiwi urged partners to send a unified international message to Iran demanding an immediate and unconditional halt to attacks on GCC states.

He said the Gulf’s goal “has never been to destroy Iran or weaken it, but to reach a normal relationship based on mutual respect, non-interference and non-aggression.”

He rejected framing the situation as part of “Middle East complexities,” calling it “a blatant violation of international law” and “a systematic targeting” of states not involved in any conflict.

Albudaiwi said Gulf states would not accept becoming targets of aggression (GCC)

Albudaiwi said GCC states had long been a pillar of regional and global stability, a reliable energy source, and a responsible economic partner. But he said they would not accept becoming targets of aggression, arenas for regional rivalries, or seeing their citizens killed without accountability.

He said Iranian attacks over 25 days had exceeded 5,000 ballistic missiles and drones targeting GCC states.

Albudaiwi revealed that 85% of Iranian missiles launched in the war were aimed at Gulf states.

He praised Gulf air defenses for limiting the impact of the attacks, but said that this does not diminish the scale of the aggression or absolve Iran of full responsibility.

He said Iran had “crossed every line” by closing the Strait of Hormuz, blocking commercial ships and oil tankers, and imposing transit fees, in violation of international law.

He also cited repeated ship hijackings and attacks carried out through Iran’s regional proxies.

He warned that disruption to shipping would hit not only Gulf states but the global economy, especially as some countries face oil and gas shortages.

Albudaiwi explained that maritime passages are governed by international agreements, and no party can obstruct them or impose conditions.

The impact of closing the Strait of Hormuz may begin with higher energy prices, but its cumulative repercussions on the global economy, energy markets, marine insurance, and civil aviation would be catastrophic.

“What happens in the Strait of Hormuz does not stay in the Strait of Hormuz,” he added.

Albudaiwi said Gulf states were surprised by US and Israeli strikes on Iran, stressing they had made clear they would not take part in military action or allow their territory to be used against Iran, and had informed Tehran of that.

“Yet this position did not prevent it from attacking GCC states,” he said.

He said GCC states had shown restraint and chosen not to respond to avoid widening the conflict, and in the hope that Iran would come to its senses and stop these attacks.

He said Gulf states produce about 16 million barrels per day of crude oil, or 22% of global output, and account for 27% of global oil exports, or 11.5 million barrels per day.

They also hold 33% of global oil reserves and 21% of natural gas reserves.

These figures make the Gulf an indispensable pillar of the global economy, Albudaiwi affirmed, warning that any disruption would directly affect energy security and global economic stability.

Gulf

Zelenskyy Arrives in Jeddah

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv (AFP)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv (AFP)
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Zelenskyy Arrives in Jeddah

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv (AFP)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv (AFP)

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine arrived in Jeddah Thursday. At King Abdulaziz International Airport, he was welcomed by Deputy Governor of Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz and several other officials.

Zelenskiy said he would hold "important meetings" in the Kingdom as part of an effort to bolster ties with Middle East countries amid the Iran war.

"Arrived in Saudi Arabia. Important meetings are scheduled. We appreciate ⁠the support and support ‌those who ‌are ready to work ​with us ‌to ensure security," Zelenskyy wrote ‌on X.

Rustem Umerov, the head of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, accompanied Zelenskiy on the ‌visit.

Gulf

Saudi FM Discusses Regional Developments with his French, Canadian Counterparts

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi FM Discusses Regional Developments with his French, Canadian Counterparts

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Thursday with France's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot on the sidelines of his participation in the Group of Seven (G7) ministerial meeting held France.

During the meeting, they reviewed relations between the two countries, along with ways to strengthen and develop them.

They also discussed the latest developments in the region and ongoing efforts in this regard.

According to SPA, the Saudi minister also met with Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand.

During their meeting they reviewed cooperation between the two countries in various fields, in addition to discussing the latest developments and issues of common interest.