UAE President Mourns Death of his Mother Sheikha Hessa

UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. (AP)
UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. (AP)
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UAE President Mourns Death of his Mother Sheikha Hessa

UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. (AP)
UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. (AP)

UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan mourned the death of his mother, Sheikha Hessa bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, who passed away on Sunday, announced a statement by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs.

The ministry declared three days of official mourning beginning on Sunday during which UAE flags will be flown at half mast.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz sent a cable of condolences to Sheikh Khalifa on death of his mother, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

In the cable, he said: "I have been informed of the news of death of your mother Sheikha Hessa bint Mohammed Al Nahyan. I send to your Highness, your family and the people of United Arab Emirates utmost condolences and sincere consolation, praying to Allah Almighty to bestow mercy upon her soul.”

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, also sent a cable of condolences to the UAE president.

He said: "I have been informed of the news of death of your mother, Sheikha Hessa bint Mohammed Al Nahyan. I send to Your Highness and your family utmost condolences and sincere consolation, praying to Allah Almighty to bestow mercy upon her soul.”

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and various UAE leaders also offered their sincere condolences to the UAE president.

Condolences flooded in from various country leaders, including Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said, King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince of Bahrain Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of Bahrain Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, and King Abdullah II of Jordan.



Saudi Interior Minister, Singapore's Coordinating Minister for National Security Discuss Regional Security Development

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Interior Minister, Singapore's Coordinating Minister for National Security Discuss Regional Security Development

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz received a phone call on Sunday from Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs of the Republic of Singapore K Shanmugam.

During the call, the two officials discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and current security developments amid the Iranian attacks targeting regional security and stability, SPA reported.

They also affirmed the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation and coordination in support of regional security and stability, in addition to discussing a number of topics of mutual interest.

Shanmugam expressed his country's condemnation of the Iranian attacks targeting the Kingdom and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, affirming Singapore's solidarity with the Kingdom and the GCC states in all measures aimed at enhancing security and stability.


Saudi Arabia Condemns Riots Targeting UAE Embassy in Damascus

Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Riots Targeting UAE Embassy in Damascus

Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia condemned on Sunday the riots, assaults, and attempted vandalism that targeted the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates and the residence of its head of mission in Damascus.

A Foreign Ministry statement said the Kingdom also slammed the “unacceptable offenses directed at the national symbols of the brotherly UAE.”

The ministry stressed the Kingdom’s “rejection of these attacks and all forms of violence against diplomats, stressing the need to ensure the protection of diplomats and diplomatic missions in line with relevant international laws and conventions.”

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi also slammed the attack against the UAE embassy in Damascus, urging Syrian authorities to hold those responsible to account.


Oman, Iran Hold Talks on Strait of Hormuz

Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
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Oman, Iran Hold Talks on Strait of Hormuz

Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)

Oman and Iran held talks on easing passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the Omani state news agency reported Sunday, with the key shipping chokepoint effectively closed due to war in the Middle East.

"Oman and Iran held a meeting at the deputy ministers level in the foreign ministries of the two countries, with the attendance of specialists from both sides, during which the possible options were discussed regarding ensuring the smooth passage through the Strait of Hormuz," the news agency posted on X.

"The experts from both sides put forward a number of visions and proposals regarding it," it added.