US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia: Iran Interference Makes It Difficult to Find a Path for Peace in Yemen

US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia John Abizaid holds videoconference meeting with the media, Asharq Al-Awsat
US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia John Abizaid holds videoconference meeting with the media, Asharq Al-Awsat
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US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia: Iran Interference Makes It Difficult to Find a Path for Peace in Yemen

US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia John Abizaid holds videoconference meeting with the media, Asharq Al-Awsat
US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia John Abizaid holds videoconference meeting with the media, Asharq Al-Awsat

US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia John Abizaid on Wednesday stressed the importance of promoting security in the Middle East and deterring the malign Iranian threat in the region, confirming that Iranian interference in Yemen is blocking the path to peace.

Abizaid’s remarks were made at a videoconference meeting attended by Asharq Al-Awsat.

The roundtable with journalists touched on a number of topics, including US relations with Saudi Arabia and policy on regional threats in the Middle East.

While the world waits on the results of the upcoming US election, Abizaid said that he sees no change in the future relationship between Riyadh and Washington.

“There may be some emphasis on different areas that will be different, but I wouldn’t anticipate that the relationship will be anything other than what it has been for 75 years, which is the rock of stability in the region,” he said.

It is worth noting that on October 14, the US and Saudi Arabia held a strategic in Washington.

Abizaid referred to Saudi Arabia's efforts to free US citizens who were held hostage by terrorist Houthi militia in Yemen.

The abducted US nationals were working to restore peace to Yemen alongside Saudi Arabia and UN Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths.

Iranian interference in Yemen makes it more difficult for Houthis to find a path for peace, the US diplomat noted.

Abizaid affirmed that Saudi Arabia and the US share a common goal centered on promoting peace and stability in the region.

Speaking about threats in the region, Abizaid pointed out to Iran deploying its arms in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.

Referring to the Saudi-US dialogue, Abizaid said the discussions in Washington focused on cooperation in defense, security and intelligence, and critical infrastructure protection, along with promoting resilient energy markets, “especially in light of the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“Of course, we also talked about the importance of using only trusted vendors and critical information and communications technology in exploring new areas of cooperation and cybersecurity and other areas,” he added.



Italy Has Frozen Russian Oligarchs' Assets Worth over $2.6 Billion

Representation photo: The seized yatch 'Tango', which belongs to Renova Group head Viktor Vekselberg, moors in the port of Palma de Mallorca, Spain, 04 April 2022. EPA/CATI CLADERA
Representation photo: The seized yatch 'Tango', which belongs to Renova Group head Viktor Vekselberg, moors in the port of Palma de Mallorca, Spain, 04 April 2022. EPA/CATI CLADERA
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Italy Has Frozen Russian Oligarchs' Assets Worth over $2.6 Billion

Representation photo: The seized yatch 'Tango', which belongs to Renova Group head Viktor Vekselberg, moors in the port of Palma de Mallorca, Spain, 04 April 2022. EPA/CATI CLADERA
Representation photo: The seized yatch 'Tango', which belongs to Renova Group head Viktor Vekselberg, moors in the port of Palma de Mallorca, Spain, 04 April 2022. EPA/CATI CLADERA

Italy has frozen Russian oligarchs' assets valued at around 2.3 billion euros ($2.64 billion) since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, data provided by Italian authorities show, with the most recent seizures occurring at the beginning of the month.

Italy seized assets - including bank accounts, luxury villas, yachts and cars - as part of the European Union's sanctions against the Kremlin and its backers.

The Bank of Italy had said that at the end of June 2023 their value amounted to 2.5 billion dollars, said Reuters.

This month it did not update the total amount, but said that the funds frozen due to sanctions against Russia totaled almost 280 million euros up to December 2024 — a 44 million euro increase from the previous year.

Separately, the tax police seized in early June an Iranian company based in Milan, Irital Shipping Lines, and two of its properties worth a total of more than 1 million euros, due to "Iran's military support for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine".

The company has not yet responded to a request for comment emailed by Reuters.

MAINTENANCE COSTS

Italy's State Property Agency holds all non-liquid assets frozen due to EU sanctions and the Italian government bears the costs of managing these assets during the freezing period.

According to the latest official data available, the costs incurred by the State for their maintenance amounted to 31.7 million euros up to February 2024.

When asked about the level of maintenance cost incurred by Italian taxpayers so far, the agency said it could not provide the information because it "is covered by official secrecy." Reuters calculation suggests that costs may have increased by around 15 million euros to more than 45 million euros to date.

The fate of these assets rests with the European Union.

If the EU decides to make the freezes permanent, the state must initiate proceedings to convert them into confiscations.

If Brussels decides to unfreeze them, the assets can be returned to their owners, provided that they pay Italy the maintenance costs incurred.