US Says Commitment to Security in the Middle East is Strong

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks to Defense Department personnel during a visit by US President Joe Biden at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, US, February 10, 2021. REUTERS/Carlos Barria//File Photo
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks to Defense Department personnel during a visit by US President Joe Biden at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, US, February 10, 2021. REUTERS/Carlos Barria//File Photo
TT

US Says Commitment to Security in the Middle East is Strong

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks to Defense Department personnel during a visit by US President Joe Biden at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, US, February 10, 2021. REUTERS/Carlos Barria//File Photo
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks to Defense Department personnel during a visit by US President Joe Biden at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, US, February 10, 2021. REUTERS/Carlos Barria//File Photo

America's top defense official vowed Saturday to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and said President Joe Biden's administration was committed to the region.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's comments in Bahrain at the annual Manama Dialogue appeared aimed at reassuring America's Gulf Arab allies as the Biden administration tries to revive the nuclear deal, which limited Iran's enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.

“The United States remains committed to preventing Iran from gaining a nuclear weapon. And we remain committed to a diplomatic outcome of the nuclear issue,” Austin told an event put on by the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

“But if Iran isn’t willing to engage seriously, then we will look at all of the options necessary to keep the United States secure,” he said.

"Let's be clear: America's commitment to security in the Middle East is strong and sure," Austin added.



Saudi King Salman Issues Royal Order Appointing 125 Members to Public Prosecution

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. (SPA)
TT

Saudi King Salman Issues Royal Order Appointing 125 Members to Public Prosecution

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud issued on Sunday a Royal Order appointing 125 members to the public prosecution as the investigative lieutenants.

Attorney General Sheikh Saud bin Abdullah Al-Mujib expressed appreciation for the Royal Order, which, he said, is a reflection of the support extended to the judiciary by King Salman and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

The appointments underscore the leadership's commitment to bolstering the public prosecution and ensuring its ongoing advancement, consistent with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, he added.