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Manama Dialogue Discusses US Defense Strategy, Means to End Region’s Conflicts

Then-US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivers a virtual speech to the Manama Dialogue conference on regional security held in the Bahraini capital, on December 4, 2020. (AFP)
Then-US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivers a virtual speech to the Manama Dialogue conference on regional security held in the Bahraini capital, on December 4, 2020. (AFP)
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Manama Dialogue Discusses US Defense Strategy, Means to End Region’s Conflicts

Then-US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivers a virtual speech to the Manama Dialogue conference on regional security held in the Bahraini capital, on December 4, 2020. (AFP)
Then-US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivers a virtual speech to the Manama Dialogue conference on regional security held in the Bahraini capital, on December 4, 2020. (AFP)

The 17th edition of the IISS Manama Dialogue kicked off Saturday in Bahrain with the participation of key ministers and experts to discuss the Middle East’s most pressing security challenges, peace and conflict resolution, and the US defense strategy.

The conference is held amid very important regional and international circumstances and focuses on “pluralism and the Middle East.”

It will feature seven plenary sessions that will discuss the US defense policy in the Middle East, Gulf and Asia, diplomacy and deterrence, multilateralism and regional security, conflict resolution in the region, security dynamics in the Red Sea, militias, missiles and nuclear proliferation.

The forum will last for three days, from Nov. 19 to 21, with the participation of 300 prominent figures, including senior officials in politics, defense and national security affairs, along with specialized experts representing more than fifty countries, and many regional and international companies and organizations.

Delivering the opening address, Indonesian Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Prabowo Subianto talked about his country’s defense agenda for its upcoming G20 presidency.

The Manama Dialogue is organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies and represents one of the most important annual global diplomatic and security summits.

The forum seeks to contribute to strengthening dialogue and common understanding between nations, cultures and civilizations, settling conflicts and tensions through diplomatic means, thus contributing to the consolidation of regional and global peace and security and to the achievement of the UN sustainable development goals.

Key participants include US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Dato Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, Malaysia’s Senior Minister and Minister of Defense, Dr. Nayef Al Hajraf, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Sir Stephen Lovegrove, UK National Security advisor, Najla Mohammed El Mangoush, Libyan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Brett McGurk, US Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, as well as other prominent figures.

The US Defense Secretary will address in his speech on Saturday the US defense policies in the region, and will hold a series of bilateral meetings with partners and allied leaders from around the world.

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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi reaffirmed Iran and Saudi Arabia’s mutual determination to establish lasting peace and stability in the region.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat during his visit to Riyadh, Ravanchi emphasized that achieving this goal requires sustained bilateral and regional cooperation to address current threats and build a foundation for prosperity and security.
During his meetings with the Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed ElKhereiji, Ravanchi discussed strengthening bilateral relations in political, economic, and consular fields, and explored key regional and international issues.
He described Saudi-Iranian efforts as a “successful model of bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” aimed at fostering peace, security, and development on both regional and international levels. Ravanchi underscored the importance of historical ties and the principle of good neighborliness as the basis for advancing this relationship.
Following the second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian trilateral committee in Riyadh, both Saudi Arabia and Iran reiterated their full commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement, according to a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry. The accord, mediated by China, aims to restore diplomatic ties and promote mutual respect for sovereignty and security in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and international law.
China praised the progress achieved since the agreement’s signing, including the reopening of embassies and increased bilateral engagement. It pledged to continue supporting Saudi-Iranian efforts to deepen their cooperation and maintain regional stability.
Ravanchi, who previously served as Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations and was a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team with the P5+1, described the atmosphere of the meetings as “cordial and transparent.” He added that the three nations exchanged views on topics of mutual interest and stressed the importance of continuing this “positive and forward-looking process.” He also revealed “constructive and friendly” meetings held by the Iranian delegation with their Saudi hosts and Chinese counterparts, during which they discussed enhancing bilateral and trilateral cooperation and reviewed developments in relations over the past year.
One significant development has been the improvement in consular services. Over 87,000 Iranian pilgrims performed Hajj, and more than 52,000 completed Umrah in the past year, demonstrating enhanced coordination. Additionally, the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian Joint Media Committee and the signing of an MoU between Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies further strengthened institutional ties.
The trilateral meeting also tackled pressing regional challenges, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The participants condemned Israel’s aggression in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the continuation of humanitarian aid to affected regions. They warned that ongoing violence poses significant risks to regional and global security, including threats to maritime safety.
On Yemen, the parties reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution under United Nations auspices. They emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace in the war-torn country.
Saudi-Iranian relations have undergone a remarkable transformation since the signing of the Beijing Agreement. The reopening of embassies, including Iran’s embassy in Riyadh in June after a seven-year hiatus, marked a turning point in their ties.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Alireza Bigdeli described the day as a “historic milestone” in Saudi-Iranian relations. He expressed confidence that the renewed relationship would reach its peak, emphasizing that the restoration of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia opens a new chapter in bilateral and regional relations, aimed at greater cooperation and stability.