Saudi Arabia Stresses People’s Rights in the Region to Have Peace

The Saudi flag (SPA)
The Saudi flag (SPA)
TT

Saudi Arabia Stresses People’s Rights in the Region to Have Peace

The Saudi flag (SPA)
The Saudi flag (SPA)

Saudi Arabia has stressed that the peoples of the region deserve a future built on peace, development, and cooperation.

Saudi Arabia participated in the Oslo Forum 2026, held under the patronage of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and was represented by Minister Plenipotentiary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Manal bint Hassan Radwan, who took part in the main session titled “Mediation in a Turbulent Middle East.”

In her remarks, Radwan highlighted Saudi Arabia’s longstanding role in mediation and sustainable peacebuilding, stressing that the Kingdom’s approach is founded on respect for rights, human dignity, and security for all.

She noted that decades of regional power politics have imposed significant humanitarian, political, and economic costs, emphasizing that lasting stability cannot be achieved through dominance or imposed realities, but through a collective security framework based on cooperation, state sovereignty, strong national institutions, and adherence to international law.

She reaffirmed that creating an independent Palestinian state and the fulfillment of the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights remain essential to achieving lasting regional peace and integration.

In this context, she highlighted Saudi-led efforts through the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution and the New York Declaration as practical frameworks for advancing peace.

Radwan also reiterated the Kingdom’s support for efforts to end the war in Gaza and implement relevant international initiatives, stressing that security and stability cannot come at the expense of sovereignty or the legitimate rights of peoples.

She underscored Saudi Arabia’s commitment to a regional security vision rooted in inclusivity, cooperation, and respect for international norms, while recognizing the contributions of China, Oman, and Iraq in supporting rapprochement with Iran and promoting regional de-escalation.

She noted that some regional actors have demonstrated a growing willingness to adapt to cooperative regional security approaches and engage in frameworks of dialogue and joint action, while Israel continues to pursue a security doctrine based on military superiority and the use of force.

She added that the continued occupation, along with annexation and settlement policies, undermines efforts to build a sustainable regional security architecture and hinders the achievement of genuine regional integration founded on equality, respect for rights, sovereignty, and international law.

Radwan emphasized that the humanitarian toll of wars, occupation, and external interference is no longer acceptable, and that the peoples of the region deserve a future built on peace, development, and cooperation.

She affirmed that Saudi Arabia will continue to work tirelessly, through its strategic partnerships and regional and international role, to advance sustainable peace and security.



Gulf States Condemn Repeated Iranian Attacks, Tehran's Destabilizing Behavior

Air defense interceptions are seen in the sky above Doha on July 12, 2026. AFP
Air defense interceptions are seen in the sky above Doha on July 12, 2026. AFP
TT

Gulf States Condemn Repeated Iranian Attacks, Tehran's Destabilizing Behavior

Air defense interceptions are seen in the sky above Doha on July 12, 2026. AFP
Air defense interceptions are seen in the sky above Doha on July 12, 2026. AFP

Gulf states condemned on Sunday repeated Iranian attacks targeting Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan, saying such assaults represent a blatant violation of state sovereignty and a direct threat to regional security and stability.

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom's condemnation and denunciation, in the strongest terms, of Iran's continued destabilizing behavior toward regional security and stability, its violations of the principles of international law, the UN Charter, the Charter of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the principles of good neighborliness.

This includes Iran's repeated attacks on commercial vessels, threatening the security and freedom of navigation, and its continued heinous assaults on Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Oman, and Jordan.

The Kingdom reaffirmed its categorical rejection of Iran's violation of the sovereignty of brotherly states and its continued threats to regional security and stability.

The Omani government also lambasted on Sunday an attack on its territory, state media announced, with Iran's Guards saying they targeted it during a barrage aimed at countries across the Gulf.

The Oman News Agency said on X that "the Sultanate of Oman affirms its condemnation and denunciation of this attack,” which came just hours after the country hosted Iran's foreign minister to address security issues in the Strait of Hormuz.

Doha too condemned the Iranian attacks against its territory and its neighbors.

"Qatar condemns in the strongest possible terms the renewed attacks carried out by the Islamic Republic of Iran," the foreign ministry said in a statement, also referring to the targeting of Jordan, the UAE, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait and calling the barrages a "dangerous escalation.”

In Kuwait, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the country's strongest condemnation and denunciation of the egregious Iranian attacks that targeted it. It affirmed that these repeated assaults reflect a persistent hostile approach, constituting a grave violation of Kuwait's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a direct threat to its security, stability, and the safety of its citizens and residents.

Furthermore, they represent a clear breach of international law, the United Nations Charter, and Security Council Resolution 2817.

The ministry stressed in a statement that the continuation of attacks constitutes an extremely dangerous escalation, which will increase tension and instability in the region, threaten regional peace and security, and undermine diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation and peaceful resolution of crises.

The ministry reiterated that Kuwait's security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity are inviolable, and that Kuwait reserves its full rights to take necessary measures to protect its security and preserve its sovereignty, in accordance with the provisions of international law and the UN Charter.


Qatar's Former Ruler Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Dies

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani. REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari/File Photo
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani. REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari/File Photo
TT

Qatar's Former Ruler Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Dies

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani. REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari/File Photo
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani. REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari/File Photo

Qatari former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani ⁠has died ⁠at the ⁠age of 74, the nation's Emiri Diwan said ⁠on ⁠Sunday.

"With hearts steadfast in faith in God's decree and destiny, the Bureau of the Emir mourns the great loss to the nation of the late -- may God have mercy on him -- His Highness the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani," read a statement published by the Emir's Diwan on social media.

Sheikh Hamad, who stepped down in June 2013 after 18 years as emir, was the architect of Qatar’s ambitions.

“The future lies ahead of you, the children of this homeland, as you usher into a new era where young leadership hoists the banner,” Sheikh Hamad said as he announced his abdication and the transition to his son, Prince Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.


Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and UAE Come Under Iranian Attacks

Bahrain's capital, Manama (file photo)
Bahrain's capital, Manama (file photo)
TT

Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and UAE Come Under Iranian Attacks

Bahrain's capital, Manama (file photo)
Bahrain's capital, Manama (file photo)

Iran on Sunday responded to US strikes with attacks targeting Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

The United States attacked Iran over an Iranian strike on a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz that set the container ship ablaze and forced its crew to abandon it.

Later, the United Arab Emirates warned the public Sunday of an incoming missile and drone attack as explosions could be heard in nearby Qatar. A missile alert sounded in Qatar shortly after the blasts. Qatar's military said in a statement it intercepted the incoming Iranian fire.

Meanwhile, missile alerts sounded in Bahrain. Kuwait's military said it was intercepting incoming fire.