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Gulf

GCC Defense Ministers Discuss Means to Bolster Military Cooperation

The Gulf officials pose for a family photo at the 22nd Session of the Joint Defense Council in Kuwait on Tuesday. (GCC)
The Gulf officials pose for a family photo at the 22nd Session of the Joint Defense Council in Kuwait on Tuesday. (GCC)
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GCC Defense Ministers Discuss Means to Bolster Military Cooperation

The Gulf officials pose for a family photo at the 22nd Session of the Joint Defense Council in Kuwait on Tuesday. (GCC)
The Gulf officials pose for a family photo at the 22nd Session of the Joint Defense Council in Kuwait on Tuesday. (GCC)

Defense ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members met in Kuwait on Tuesday to discuss means to bolster defense and military cooperation.

Meeting at the 22nd Session of the Joint Defense Council, the ministers tackled several issues of common interest and approved various recommendations on its agenda.

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman led the Kingdom’s delegation at the talks.

Addressing the council, GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi underlined the importance of joint military action between Gulf states.

He expressed his gratitude “for the significant role played by the Joint Defense Council in developing joint GCC military action, and for the wise directives extended to deepen its bonds, overcome any obstacles or challenges, and advance it towards the desired noble goals,” said a GCC statement.

Ahead of the meeting, Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah received the Gulf defense ministers, conveying to them the greetings of Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

The Saudi delegation included Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant-General Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, Assistant Minister of Defense for Executive Affairs Dr. Khaled bin Hussein Al-Biyari and Advisor to the Minister of Defense for Intelligence Affairs Hisham bin Abdulaziz bin Saif.

Prince Khalid had arrived in Kuwait earlier on Tuesday. He was received at the airport by his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Saudi Ambassador to Kuwait Sultan bin Saad bin Khalid and several senior officials.

In a post on the X platform, Prince Khalid said he discussed with his Gulf counterparts means to bolster defense cooperation between their countries to maintain security and stability.

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Gulf

Six Arab Nations Issue Statement Condemning Attacks by Iran-aligned Iraqi Factions

Smoke rises from the area of Kuwait International Airport after a drone strike targeted a fuel depot (AP)
Smoke rises from the area of Kuwait International Airport after a drone strike targeted a fuel depot (AP)
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Six Arab Nations Issue Statement Condemning Attacks by Iran-aligned Iraqi Factions

Smoke rises from the area of Kuwait International Airport after a drone strike targeted a fuel depot (AP)
Smoke rises from the area of Kuwait International Airport after a drone strike targeted a fuel depot (AP)

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan issued a joint statement on Wednesday condemning the attacks carried out by Iran-affiliated armed groups in Iraq against countries in the region and their facilities and infrastructure.

They said these assaults constitute a violation of international laws and conventions, and a flagrant breach of UN Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), which clearly demands that Iran immediately and unconditionally cease any attacks or threats against neighboring states, including those carried out through proxy groups.

In the statement, the six countries strongly condemned what they dubbed Iranian aggression, whether carried out directly or through proxy armed groups, saying it violates their sovereignty and breaches international law, international humanitarian law, and the Charter of the United Nations.

They urged Iraq to immediately stop attacks from armed groups within its territory to maintain relations and prevent escalation.

The statement affirmed the six countries’ inherent right to self-defense and to take necessary measures to protect their sovereignty and security under the UN Charter.

The statement also condemned the destabilizing activities carried out by Iran-aligned sleeper cells and terrorist groups linked to Hezbollah. It praised the armed forces and security agencies for confronting these threats, protecting national security, and successfully uncovering and dismantling hostile networks.

Gulf

Saudi Crown Prince, Pakistani PM Discuss Implications of Regional Escalation

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif meet in Riyadh last year. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif meet in Riyadh last year. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince, Pakistani PM Discuss Implications of Regional Escalation

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif meet in Riyadh last year. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif meet in Riyadh last year. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held telephone talks on Wednesday on regional developments and the implications of the ongoing military escalation on regional and global security and stability.

Shehbaz Sharif stresses his country’s full support to Saudi Arabia, saying it will always firmly stand by its side amid the Iranian attacks against its security and sovereignty.

In a post on X, he said Pakistan will continue to stand in solidarity with the Kingdom, saying it enjoys its absolute support.

He underscored his country’s firm commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security and sovereignty, especially amid the current regional escalation.

He also condemned any attacks that target the Kingdom, hailing its restraint and urging de-escalation and an end to the hostilities.

He said he agreed with Crown Prince Mohammed to continue close coordination.

Gulf

Fire at Kuwait Airport After Drones Hit Fuel Tank

Vehicles drive along the highway leading to and from Kuwait City on March 2, 2026. (AFP)
Vehicles drive along the highway leading to and from Kuwait City on March 2, 2026. (AFP)
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Fire at Kuwait Airport After Drones Hit Fuel Tank

Vehicles drive along the highway leading to and from Kuwait City on March 2, 2026. (AFP)
Vehicles drive along the highway leading to and from Kuwait City on March 2, 2026. (AFP)

Drones hit a fuel tank and sparked a fire at Kuwait International Airport, the Gulf state's civil aviation authority said on Wednesday, as Iran presses on with its attacks in the nearly four-week regional war.

Citing preliminary information, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said in a statement posted online that the attack had caused only "limited" damage and no casualties.

Firefighters were working to bring the blaze under control, said agency spokesman Abdullah Al-Rajhi.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said in a statement carried by state broadcaster IRIB that they had launched missiles and drones at military bases hosting US forces in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain as well as targets in Israel.

The Kuwait National Guard said in a statement that its forces intercepted six drones early Wednesday, and the army said air defenses were "responding to hostile missile and drone attacks".

In Bahrain, the interior ministry said air raid sirens were activated, while Jordan's public security directorate reported shrapnel fell near the capital Amman, resulting in no casualties or damage.

In Israel, the military said air defenses responded to Iranian missiles that triggered warning sirens across much of the country's central region.

The Kuwait airport is largely closed to commercial flights and has come under attack several times since the regional war began on February 28, when Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran.

On March 14, the civil aviation authority said an attack with "several drones" targeted the airport and "struck its radar system". No casualties were reported.

Major airlines have suspended flights to the Gulf, or cut back due to fuel shortages linked to the war.