‘Riyadh Meeting’ Monitors the Handling of Iranian Activities

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Asharq Al-Awsat
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Asharq Al-Awsat
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‘Riyadh Meeting’ Monitors the Handling of Iranian Activities

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Asharq Al-Awsat
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Asharq Al-Awsat

Western, Gulf and Arab officials affirmed in Riyadh on Thursday their determination to address broad security concerns in the region, including Iran’s destabilizing activities.

The coordination meeting was attended by the US Special Envoy for Iran, the political directors of the foreign ministries in France, Britain and Germany, and their counterparts in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Egypt and Jordan.

Participants exchanged views on the political and security situation in the region, including Iran’s actions. They also addressed the upcoming seventh round of talks on the return of Iran and the United States to mutual, full compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA).

A joint statement released after the meeting reiterated the importance of quickly reaching and implementing a negotiated solution to that end and of ensuring that Iran’s nuclear program is exclusively for peaceful purposes.

The political directors and the US Special Envoy for Iran welcomed the regional partners’ efforts to deescalate tensions and promote dialogue in the region.

They affirmed their determination to continue to address broader security concerns of the region. They discussed Iran’s destabilizing activities in the region, including the use and transfer of ballistic missiles and UAVs that have led to attacks against regional partners. They reiterated their concern for and condemnation of such destabilizing activities.

They underlined that enhanced regional dialogue and a return to mutual compliance with the JCPoA would benefit the entire Middle East, allow for more regional partnerships and economic exchange, with long-lasting implications for growth and the well-being of all people there, including in Iran.



Saudi Military Personnel Graduate from US THAAD Missile Defense Training Program

Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces Graduate Second Unit at Fort Bliss Base in the US. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces Graduate Second Unit at Fort Bliss Base in the US. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Military Personnel Graduate from US THAAD Missile Defense Training Program

Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces Graduate Second Unit at Fort Bliss Base in the US. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces Graduate Second Unit at Fort Bliss Base in the US. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces have announced the graduation of the second unit trained to operate the US-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system. The training was completed at Fort Bliss Military Base in El Paso, Texas.

This latest graduation follows the completion of training for the first unit several months ago and is part of a broader initiative to build a fully qualified Saudi operational and maintenance crew for the THAAD system- one of the world’s most advanced and precise missile defense technologies. The system is considered a key pillar of Saudi Arabia’s air defense capabilities.

During their training, the Saudi personnel underwent an intensive program that included technical and operational instruction, combat simulation, and advanced field exercises. The course was conducted under the supervision of experts from the system’s manufacturing company, in cooperation with the United States as part of ongoing military collaboration agreements between the two nations.

This training initiative is aligned with the Saudi Ministry of Defense’s strategic objective to enhance the operational readiness and technical proficiency of its forces through advanced and specialized training. The goal is to equip Saudi forces with the skills required for modern military operations, in line with Vision 2030’s focus on military modernization and technological localization.

The Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces continue to implement comprehensive plans to qualify national cadres capable of managing and operating advanced defense systems, strengthening national security and protecting Saudi airspace against potential threats.

The graduation ceremony was held at Fort Bliss in the presence of Major General Abdullah Al-Rubaie, Commander of the Air Defense Forces Institute, representing Lieutenant General Mazyad Al-Amro, Commander of the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces. The event was also attended by US counterparts and representatives from relevant training bodies.