Saudi Arabia Underscores Commitment to Yemen Truce

Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman. (Reuters)
Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman. (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Underscores Commitment to Yemen Truce

Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman. (Reuters)
Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia stressed on Friday its commitment to the truce in Yemen, while accusing the Iranian regime of manipulating the war-torn country for its own goals.

Deputy Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman said: “Saudi Arabia positively welcomes the truce, which is what the Kingdom has always called for.”

He also demanded that it be implemented effectively on the ground.

Moreover, he tweeted that the Iranian regime’s talk of the truce and linking it to its attempts to end its own crises is a “cheap attempt to manipulate Yemen and its people.”

Tehran is exploiting the crisis to escape blame from its terrorist acts, said Prince Khalid.

“It is time for the Yemenis, all Yemenis, and us with them to stand united against the Iranian regime’s agenda of chaos, strife and destruction,” he stressed.

Furthermore, he slammed Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif for blaming the Yemeni people for the attack last month on Saudi Aramco’s Abqaiq and Khurais oil facilities.

In a televised interview with CNN in September, Zarif said that Tehran was not behind the attack.

The Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen had claimed responsibility for the attack, a claim that has been dismissed by Saudi Arabia, the United States and Europe, who have pinned blame on Tehran.

Asked by CNN if he believes that the Houthis were behind the attack, Zarif said that the militias had claimed to have carried it out.

"I cannot have any confidence that they did it because we just heard their statement," he added. "I know that we didn't do it. I know that the Houthis made a statement that they did it."



Sultan Haitham, Erdogan Discuss Bilateral Ties and Regional Issues


Turkish President receives Oman’s Sultan at the Presidential Palace in Ankara (Turkish Presidency)
Turkish President receives Oman’s Sultan at the Presidential Palace in Ankara (Turkish Presidency)
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Sultan Haitham, Erdogan Discuss Bilateral Ties and Regional Issues


Turkish President receives Oman’s Sultan at the Presidential Palace in Ankara (Turkish Presidency)
Turkish President receives Oman’s Sultan at the Presidential Palace in Ankara (Turkish Presidency)

Türkiye and Oman agreed to deepen cooperation and increase trade to $5 billion. They also backed efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, similar to a recent deal in Lebanon.

“We aim to raise our trade volume with Oman to $5 billion, in line with our available potential. A new era of energy cooperation will commence as liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies from Oman to Türkiye begin in July 2025,” said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Erdogan welcomed Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq in Ankara on Thursday, marking the first official visit by an Omani Sultan to Türkiye. Erdogan said he plans to visit Oman in the future.

He thanked Sultan Haitham for Oman’s support after Türkiye’s earthquake last year and praised his efforts to promote regional peace, especially in Yemen. Erdogan also stressed the importance of strengthening ties between the two nations in all areas.

Erdogan called for stronger institutional ties with Oman, announcing 10 agreements in areas such as trade, health, culture, agriculture, and defense. He praised Oman for choosing Turkish defense products and noted that Turkish contractors have handled $7 billion worth of projects in Oman, with potential to support Oman’s “Vision 2040.”

The leaders also discussed regional issues, including US President Joe Biden’s Gaza ceasefire initiative, which Erdogan called “important but overdue.” He stressed the need for an immediate and lasting truce in Gaza and reaffirmed Türkiye’s support for peace efforts.

Sultan Haitham said Oman is committed to deepening ties with Türkiye and increasing trade to $5 billion.

The Omani leader highlighted the importance of regional security and cooperation during talks with Erdogan. He voiced Oman’s support for Türkiye’s stance on key international issues and stressed the need to pursue a two-state solution for Palestine to ensure justice and peace.

Erdogan welcomed Sultan Haitham in Ankara with an official ceremony at the presidential palace. The leaders oversaw the signing of 10 agreements aimed at strengthening ties between the two nations.