Oman Warns of Escalation Risk, Qatar Pushes to Revive Talks

Qatar’s Emir receives written message from Iran’s President Pezeshkian. Photo: QNA
Qatar’s Emir receives written message from Iran’s President Pezeshkian. Photo: QNA
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Oman Warns of Escalation Risk, Qatar Pushes to Revive Talks

Qatar’s Emir receives written message from Iran’s President Pezeshkian. Photo: QNA
Qatar’s Emir receives written message from Iran’s President Pezeshkian. Photo: QNA

Oman warned on Wednesday against the growing military escalation between Israel and Iran and stepped up its diplomatic efforts to shield the region from the risk of a broader conflict.

Qatar, also intensifying its mediation, said it was working with regional and international partners to end the Israeli-Iranian confrontation. This came as Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received a written message from Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian.

According to the Qatari state news agency, the letter focused on bilateral relations and ways to enhance them.

On Tuesday, Majed Al Ansari, spokesperson for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs and advisor to the Prime Minister, said Doha was in constant contact with friends and partners in and outside the region to help end the escalating conflict.

“Qatar is engaging all parties to narrow differences and reach a scenario that puts an end to this dangerous escalation,” he said.

Al Ansari added that Qatar was working closely with regional and international actors to revive negotiations and de-escalate tensions to prevent the region from sliding into a potentially devastating war.

He said the Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister had spoken with several international officials in recent days, voicing strong condemnation of Israel’s repeated violations and attacks, which he said undermine efforts to achieve peace.

Al Ansari stressed the urgent need for collective regional and global action to reduce tensions and resolve disputes through diplomacy.

In Muscat, the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi held talks with his Arab counterparts and key international partners, including EU foreign policy chief and European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas.

According to Omani sources, the discussions focused on tackling rising regional tensions triggered by Israel’s pre-emptive strikes on Iran and Tehran’s subsequent response, part of a broader crisis that has been intensifying since early Friday.

The talks also addressed the need to align international positions, increase political and legal pressure to halt Israeli attacks, and push for comprehensive negotiations aimed at restoring stability and averting further military escalation.

Al Busaidi urged an immediate end to what he called a “tragic war threatening regional security” and called for heightened diplomatic pressure to revive a political solution.



Makkah Police Arrest Resident over Fraudulent Hajj Ads

 A general of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
A general of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
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Makkah Police Arrest Resident over Fraudulent Hajj Ads

 A general of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
A general of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)

Makkah Region police arrested an Egyptian resident for fraud after posting advertisements on social media offering fake permits to enter the holy sites and fraudulent Hajj services, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday.

Legal action was taken against him and he was referred to the Public Prosecution.

The General Directorate of Public Security urged citizens and residents to adhere to Hajj regulations and guidelines and to report violators.

On Tuesday, the Saudi Ministry of Interior announced the penalties that will be imposed on violators of the regulations requiring a permit to perform Hajj.

A fine of up to SAR20,000 will be imposed on any individual found performing or attempting to perform Hajj without a permit.

A fine of up to SAR100,000 will be imposed on any person who applies for the issuance of a visit visa of any type for an individual who performs or attempts to perform Hajj without a permit.

Infiltrators, including residents and those who overstay their visas, will be deported back to their countries and banned them from entering the Kingdom for 10 years.


Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief Distributes 29,000 Hot Meals in Gaza

KSrelief distributed 29,000 hot meals to the most vulnerable families in central and southern Gaza Strip. (SPA)
KSrelief distributed 29,000 hot meals to the most vulnerable families in central and southern Gaza Strip. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief Distributes 29,000 Hot Meals in Gaza

KSrelief distributed 29,000 hot meals to the most vulnerable families in central and southern Gaza Strip. (SPA)
KSrelief distributed 29,000 hot meals to the most vulnerable families in central and southern Gaza Strip. (SPA)

The central kitchen operated by Saudi Arabia's King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) distributed 29,000 hot meals to the most vulnerable families in central and southern Gaza Strip, as part of the Saudi public campaign to provide relief to the Palestinian people, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday.

This initiative demonstrates the Kingdom’s dedication, through KSrelief, to supporting the Palestinian people in times of crisis.

On Monday, KSrelief distributed 1,196 food baskets to the most vulnerable groups in Gaza's city of Khan Younis, benefiting 7,176 individuals.


Saudi Arabia Pledges $3 Billion More in Financial Support to Pakistan

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan and Pakistani Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb shake hands following the agreement. (X)
Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan and Pakistani Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb shake hands following the agreement. (X)
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Saudi Arabia Pledges $3 Billion More in Financial Support to Pakistan

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan and Pakistani Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb shake hands following the agreement. (X)
Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan and Pakistani Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb shake hands following the agreement. (X)

Saudi Arabia will provide $3 billion in additional support for Pakistan to help the South Asian nation bridge a multi-billion-dollar gap in its finances linked to an upcoming debt repayment to the United Arab Emirates.

The extra funding for Pakistan comes on top of Riyadh extending the rollover arrangement for an additional $5 billion deposit for a longer period, Pakistan Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb told reporters in Washington.

The move underlines a deepening relationship between Riyadh and Islamabad, cemented last year by a mutual defense pact treating aggression against either ‌as an attack ‌on both.

"We can confirm that Saudi Arabia has ‌agreed ⁠to a $3 billion deposit ⁠with Pakistan to support their balance of payments," a Saudi Ministry of Finance spokesperson told Reuters.

Pakistan faces a $3.5 billion repayment to the UAE this month that has put a strain on its foreign exchange reserves, which stood at about $16.4 billion as of March 27.

The repayment to the UAE amounts to roughly 18% of those holdings.

Under Pakistan's $7 billion IMF program, the country is targeting foreign exchange reserves of more than $18 billion ⁠by June.

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan was in Pakistan on Friday .

"Senator Aurangzeb said this ‌support comes at a critical time for Pakistan’s external financing needs and would ‌help reinforce foreign exchange reserves and strengthen the country’s external account," the finance ministry said in a statement.

The ministry added that Pakistan is committed to maintaining foreign exchange reserves "in line with its obligations to markets and under the IMF-supported program".

Pakistan's international bonds rallied on the news, ‌with longer-dated maturities adding nearly 1 cent to trade at their strongest level since late February.

Saudi Arabia has repeatedly stepped in to support Pakistan during periods of economic stress. In 2018, Riyadh unveiled a $6 billion package that included a $3 billion deposit at Pakistan's central bank and $3 billion in oil supplies on deferred payment.

Pakistan, meanwhile, has emerged as the key mediator between the US and Iran to end the war in the Middle East while also shoring up Saudi Arabia's defenses after the Kingdom came under hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks.

Last week, Pakistan deployed fighter jets and support aircraft to Saudi Arabia.