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Gulf

Jordan’s King Abdullah Honors Abu Dhabi Crown Prince with Order of Hussein ibn Ali

King Abdullah II of Jordan honors Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan with the Order of Hussein ibn Ali. (Foreign Ministry)
King Abdullah II of Jordan honors Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan with the Order of Hussein ibn Ali. (Foreign Ministry)
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Jordan’s King Abdullah Honors Abu Dhabi Crown Prince with Order of Hussein ibn Ali

King Abdullah II of Jordan honors Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan with the Order of Hussein ibn Ali. (Foreign Ministry)
King Abdullah II of Jordan honors Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan with the Order of Hussein ibn Ali. (Foreign Ministry)

King Abdullah II of Jordan honored Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan with the Order of Hussein ibn Ali in recognition of his role in supporting brotherly ties and cooperation between Jordan and UAE across multiple sectors.

The Crown Prince was bestowed with the honor during an official visit to Amman where he met the Jordanian monarch and a number of officials.

King Abdullah affirmed the strong ties of friendship and bilateral relations between Jordan and the UAE, praising the great role Sheikh Mohamed plays in further cementing them across all levels of cooperation and coordination.

For his part, Sheikh Mohamed expressed his gratitude to King Abdullah. He stressed that the historical relations between the two countries, founded by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and King Hussein bin Talal, will continue to prosper as a result of the keenness and determination shown by President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and King Abdullah.

Sheikh Mohamed confirmed that the UAE is invested in strengthening relations with Jordan and advancing cooperation in various fields so as to attain sustainable development in the Arab world and overcome regional challenges and threats.

The Crown Prince also praised the role Jordan plays in addressing regional issues and developments, particularly those relating to the Palestinian cause and the Middle East peace process, as well as its concerted efforts in combating terrorism and terrorist organizations.

After the meeting, the two leaders reiterated their keenness to further develop ties and continue their support and cooperation to confront the scourge of terrorism and extremism that threatens the security and stability of nations and peoples.

During the visit, Sheikh Mohamed and King Abdullah attended the signing of a $100 million agreement to finance 22,000 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Hashemite Kingdom.

The agreement was signed between the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development and Jordan's Crown Prince Foundation and aims to support entrepreneurship and underpin the Jordanian government's efforts to ensure a stable and balanced economy.

Sheikh Mohamed will begin a visit to France on Wednesday at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, announced the Crown Prince's twitter account.

The two leaders will "discuss bilateral cooperation in the fields of economy, investments, trade and culture, and recent developments in the Middle East," it said.

The Crown Prince will also meet Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and a number of French businessmen and UAE students studying in France.

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Gulf

Saudi FM, Russian Counterpart Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah/File Photo
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah/File Photo
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Saudi FM, Russian Counterpart Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah/File Photo
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah/File Photo

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held a phone call with Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov, during which they discussed the latest developments in the region, the Saudi Press Agency said on Thursday.

The discussion comes amid heightened tensions in parts of the Middle East, prompting continued diplomatic engagement between major international stakeholders.

 

Gulf

Gulf States Pursue IRGC, Hezbollah Cells Amid Ongoing Attacks

Suspects identified as fugitives abroad (Bahrain’s Interior Ministry) 
Suspects identified as fugitives abroad (Bahrain’s Interior Ministry) 
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Gulf States Pursue IRGC, Hezbollah Cells Amid Ongoing Attacks

Suspects identified as fugitives abroad (Bahrain’s Interior Ministry) 
Suspects identified as fugitives abroad (Bahrain’s Interior Ministry) 

Gulf Cooperation Council states are pursuing hunting down terrorist cells linked to Tehran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, as they continue to counter Iranian attacks, intercepting more than 6,246 missiles and drones, according to the Gulf Research Center.

Monitoring by Asharq Al-Awsat shows that within 30 days, Gulf security services uncovered nine cells tied to Iran or its allies, particularly Hezbollah, across four countries: Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE.

The first cell was announced in Qatar on March 3, and the latest on March 30—meaning all nine were dismantled within 27 days, or roughly one Iran-linked cell every three days.

Seventy-four suspects across nine Iranian cells

About 74 individuals were arrested or identified across the nine cells, according to official data. They include nationals of Kuwait, Lebanon, Iran, and Bahrain.

According to official statements and confessions, the suspects were involved in coordinating with operatives abroad in ways that undermine state sovereignty and endanger public safety. Charges include raising funds for attacks, plotting assassinations targeting leaders and public figures, damaging strategic interests, infiltrating national economies, and executing schemes that threaten financial stability.

They also face accusations of espionage, collecting intelligence on military and critical sites, and possessing drones and coordinates of sensitive locations.

“Exporting the revolution”

The activities and charges mirror previously uncovered Iran-linked networks in the Gulf. Gulf security specialist Dhafer Alajmi said Iran has pursued a policy of exporting its 1979 revolution, turning sleeper cells into an existential threat to Gulf states.

Gulf countries began dismantling such networks early in the current conflict. The first announced operation came less than 72 hours after the outbreak of US, Israeli, and Iranian military confrontations, reflecting heightened security vigilance.

In Bahrain, authorities uncovered three cells involving 14 individuals, including 12 detained and two identified as fugitives abroad.

In Kuwait, three cells linked to the banned Hezbollah group involved 45 individuals, some arrested and others identified overseas.

The UAE announced the dismantling of a network linked to Hezbollah and Iran comprising five members.

Qatar, the first to act on March 3, said two cells working for the Revolutionary Guards involved 10 suspects.

A three-dimensional strategy

Alajmi said Tehran relies on a three-dimensional strategy to encircle the region: local terrorist cells, recruitment within Gulf states to carry out bombings and assassinations, and regional armed proxies such as the Houthis and Hezbollah to exert missile and drone pressure.

He also pointed to “nuclear blackmail,” using nuclear facilities as cover for destabilizing activities and as leverage against the international community.

He said Gulf states have demonstrated exceptional efficiency through preemptive operations that foiled dozens of plots and uncovered weapons and explosives linked to the Revolutionary Guard.

He cited strict anti-money laundering and counterterrorism financing laws that have constrained Iran-linked networks financially, alongside defense alliances, enhanced security coordination such as the Peninsula Shield Force, and advanced air defense systems.

He added that public awareness has denied such cells a supportive environment, turning them from pressure tools into losing assets.

“An old, renewed tactic”

Bahraini writer Faisal Al-Sheikh said targeting Bahrain and the wider Gulf through terrorist cells and proxy networks is a long-standing Iranian tactic central to its proxy warfare strategy, aimed at undermining states from within and spreading instability.

He described it as a system built on recruiting agents and exploiting weak loyalties, calling it “organized betrayal.”

Lebanese political analyst Ibrahim Raihan said Tehran uses such cells to destabilize Gulf states and signal that any attack on it would trigger broader regional chaos.

Developments since the start of hostilities show Gulf forces have not only intercepted attacks in the air but are also engaged in a parallel ground campaign to dismantle Iran-linked networks operating within their borders.

Gulf

Russia Stresses its Support to Saudi Arabia’s Sovereignty, Security

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Russia Stresses its Support to Saudi Arabia’s Sovereignty, Security

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, held telephone talks on Thursday with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the rapid developments in the region amid the military escalation.

They tackled the negative repercussions of the escalation and its impact on marine navigation and the global economy.

Putin stressed to Crown Prince Mohammed Russia’s support to Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and security.

The leaders also exchanged views on several regional and international issues of common interest.