Bahrain Forms New Government

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa. (AFP)
Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa. (AFP)
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Bahrain Forms New Government

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa. (AFP)
Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa. (AFP)

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa approved on Tuesday the new cabinet lineup that was presented by Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, reported the Bahraini news agency (BNA).

King Hamad appointed Prince Khalifa to his post on Sunday and tasked him with nominating members to the new cabinet.

The approved lineup stipulates the appointment of Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander as First Deputy Prime Minister.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa, Sheikh Ali bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa, Jawad bin Salem Al-Arrayed and Sheikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa were appointed as deputy premiers.

Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al-Mutawa was appointed Cabinet Minister, Lieutenant-General Sheikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa as Interior Minister, Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa as Foreign Minister, Dr. Majid bin Ali Al-Nuaimi as Education Minister, Dr. Abdulhussein bin Ali Mirza as Minister of Electricity and Water, Sheikh Khalid bin Ali bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa as Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments and Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa as Minister of Oil.

Sheikh Salman bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa was appointed Minister of Finance and National Economy, Essam bin Abdulla Khalaf as Minister of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning, Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan as Minister of Labor and Social Development, Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed as Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, Bassem bin Yacoub Al-Hamer as Minister of Housing, Ghanim bin Fadhl Al-Bouainain as Parliament Minister, Faeqa bint Said Al-Saleh as Health Minister, Zayed bin Rashid Alzayani as Minister of Industry and Commerce, Ali bin Mohammed Al-Romaihi as Minister of Information Affairs, Major-General Abdulla bin Hassan Al-Nuaimi as Defense Affairs Minister and Aymen Tawfiq Almoayyed as Youth and Sports Affairs Minister.



Iran Signals Readiness to Expand Economic, Cultural Ties with Saudi Arabia

Saudi Crown Prince meets Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Jeddah on Tuesday — SPA
Saudi Crown Prince meets Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Jeddah on Tuesday — SPA
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Iran Signals Readiness to Expand Economic, Cultural Ties with Saudi Arabia

Saudi Crown Prince meets Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Jeddah on Tuesday — SPA
Saudi Crown Prince meets Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Jeddah on Tuesday — SPA

Iran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alireza Enayati, described Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s recent visit to Riyadh as a clear sign on Tehran’s willingness to deepen economic and cultural relations with the kingdom.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Enayati said Tuesday’s visit focused on reviewing bilateral ties and cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Iran. He emphasized Tehran’s commitment to strengthening relations with Riyadh and neighboring countries based on good neighborliness and shared interests.

During the visit, Araghchi held a series of high-level meetings with key Saudi officials, including Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, and Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.

Enayati said Iran is ready to broaden cooperation with Saudi Arabia across economic, trade, and cultural sectors. He highlighted that the Crown Prince expressed satisfaction with the growing understanding and collaboration between the two leading Muslim nations.

The ambassador, who attended the meetings, added that the Crown Prince reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s determination to continue advancing this path and develop relations in all fields.

Enayati also recalled Saudi Arabia’s condemnation of military aggression against Iran’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

He said the Crown Prince stressed that regional security and stability depend on cooperation and understanding among countries in the region. This includes leveraging all capabilities to prevent escalation and insecurity and prioritizing diplomatic tools to resolve disputes, according to Iran’s envoy.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed hope that the recently agreed ceasefire will help foster security and stability across the region, Saudi state news agency SPA reported.

During a reception for Araghchi in Jeddah, the Crown Prince reaffirmed Riyadh’s support for resolving disputes through diplomatic dialogue, describing it as the best path to lasting peace.

Araghchi thanked Saudi Arabia for its condemnation of Israeli aggression and praised the Crown Prince’s efforts to bolster regional security and stability.

Enayati conveyed Araghchi’s praise for “fruitful” security and defense consultations between the two countries.

Enayati described a recent visit to Tehran by Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman as “highly significant and effective in advancing cooperation to strengthen regional security and stability.”

He added that Prince Khalid firmly condemned Israeli military aggression against Iran and extended condolences for the deaths of Iranian military and civilian figures in the attacks, according to the Iranian ambassador.

Prince Khalid took to X to outline the scope of his recent talks with Araghchi, emphasizing bilateral cooperation and regional security.

On his part, Enayati told Asharq Al-Awsat that Araghchi expressed gratitude to the Saudi government for its “valuable assistance” in facilitating the return of Iranian pilgrims amid disruptions caused by Israeli military aggression against Iran.

Enayati also relayed comments from Araghchi attributing recent Israeli attacks to what he described as the “impunity” enjoyed by the Israeli regime for its crimes against the Palestinian people and ongoing aggression toward other regional states.

The Iranian foreign minister strongly condemned the continued killing and displacement of Palestinians and the ongoing occupation.

He further denounced Israel’s repeated strikes against Lebanon and Syria, condemning the United Nations Security Council’s “silence and inaction,” which he described as a key factor in regional insecurity.