Trump Arrives in Riyadh on Official Visit 

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, (R) meets with US President Donald Trump in Riyadh on May 13, 2025. (AFP)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, (R) meets with US President Donald Trump in Riyadh on May 13, 2025. (AFP)
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Trump Arrives in Riyadh on Official Visit 

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, (R) meets with US President Donald Trump in Riyadh on May 13, 2025. (AFP)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, (R) meets with US President Donald Trump in Riyadh on May 13, 2025. (AFP)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, welcomed on Tuesday US President Donald Trump in Riyadh as he embarked on his first official visit abroad since his reelection. 

The visit aims to deepen the strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia.   

Trump is also set to visit the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.   

The Saudi government, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, welcomed the visit on Monday, hoping it would bolster cooperation and the partnership between the Kingdom and the US.   

Prior to his departure, Trump had described his visit to the Gulf as “historic”.   

Saudi Arabia was the destination of Trump's first foreign visit during his first term in office in 2017. 



World Leaders Express Solidarity with Qatar Following Iranian Attack

Remnants of an Iranian missile intercepted over Qatar (AFP)
Remnants of an Iranian missile intercepted over Qatar (AFP)
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World Leaders Express Solidarity with Qatar Following Iranian Attack

Remnants of an Iranian missile intercepted over Qatar (AFP)
Remnants of an Iranian missile intercepted over Qatar (AFP)

In the wake of Iran’s missile strike on Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Arab and world leaders have expressed firm solidarity with the Qatari leadership, condemning the attack as a flagrant violation of the country’s sovereignty and international law.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to convey the Kingdom’s strong condemnation of the Iranian assault, reiterating Saudi Arabia’s full support for Qatar. He described the strike as a “blatant breach of Qatari airspace and sovereignty” and a serious threat to regional stability.

The Crown Prince stressed the need for restraint and a return to diplomatic channels.

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq also spoke with Sheikh Tamim, voicing full support for Qatar and praising its calm and measured response to the regional escalation. He reaffirmed Oman’s rejection of any act that undermines the sovereignty or stability of Gulf nations and called for dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution.

US President Donald Trump joined the growing list of leaders condemning the attack. In a phone call with the Qatari Emir, Trump reaffirmed America’s commitment to Qatar’s security and condemned Iran’s actions as a “grave violation of international law and the UN Charter.”

Qatar also received expressions of support from Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, who labeled the attack a “dangerous violation” and affirmed Baghdad’s solidarity with Doha. Al-Sudani stressed Iraq’s rejection of any aggression threatening the security of regional nations and urged all parties to exercise restraint and seek diplomatic solutions.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi echoed similar sentiments in a phone call with Sheikh Tamim, voicing Cairo’s strong condemnation of the Iranian strike and declaring unwavering support for Qatar. He underscored the importance of maintaining regional stability and avoiding escalation.

Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who visited Doha on Tuesday, met with the Qatari Emir and reaffirmed Lebanon’s support for Qatar’s sovereignty. Salam condemned the attack as a serious threat to regional peace and extended his appreciation for Qatar’s consistent support to Lebanon during challenging times.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council Chairman General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan also joined in condemning the Iranian strike in separate phone calls with Sheikh Tamim. Both leaders expressed their nations’ solidarity with Qatar and stressed the need for diplomatic resolution and de-escalation.

In response, the Emir expressed deep gratitude for the broad regional and international solidarity, describing it as a testament to the strength of Qatar’s partnerships and the shared commitment to peace and stability in the Gulf.