Saudi Arabia: Hostile Foreign Parties Led Defamation Cyber-Attacks

REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/Illustration
REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/Illustration
TT
20

Saudi Arabia: Hostile Foreign Parties Led Defamation Cyber-Attacks

REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/Illustration
REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/Illustration

Saudi Arabia’s Public Prosecution exposed on Monday campaigns led by adverse foreign parties aiming to mar the Kingdom’s reputation. It also stressed that anybody caught making false statements about matters ‘related to public order’ could face up to five years in jail and a SR3 million fine.

In a statement, the Public Prosecution denied rumors spread regarding one of the events that were held in the capital, Riyadh, and confirmed that the claims were a part of campaigns led by hostile parties aimed at discrediting Saudi Arabia.

Spreading, inciting, or taking part in rumors and lies about matters related to public order through social media, especially the matters whose origins are from hostile parties managed from abroad, is considered as one of the major crimes that require arrest in line with the Anti-Cyber Crime Law and the Law of Criminal Procedures.

The agency had monitored several fake accounts on social media that are involved in fabricating and instigating baseless rumors pertaining to one of the recent events, that was with coordination and support from external hostile parties, which were found behind most of the monitored posts.

Some people from inside Saudi Arabia were found involved in circulating and inciting such rumors. The Public Prosecution summoned them, and work is underway to complete the criminal procedures against them.

Anyone who incited, assisted, or agreed to commit this crime would also have to face punitive measures.

Public Prosecution called on everyone to receive information only from its official sources and not to get carried away by rumors or participate in their dissemination through social media to avert facing consequences involving criminal accountability.

In this regard, the Public Prosecution affirmed that it will not tolerate anyone found to have been involved in such acts and that they will get maximum penalties prescribed by the law.



Iran Signals Readiness to Expand Economic, Cultural Ties with Saudi Arabia

Saudi Crown Prince meets Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Jeddah on Tuesday — SPA
Saudi Crown Prince meets Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Jeddah on Tuesday — SPA
TT
20

Iran Signals Readiness to Expand Economic, Cultural Ties with Saudi Arabia

Saudi Crown Prince meets Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Jeddah on Tuesday — SPA
Saudi Crown Prince meets Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Jeddah on Tuesday — SPA

Iran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alireza Enayati, described Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s recent visit to Riyadh as a clear sign on Tehran’s willingness to deepen economic and cultural relations with the kingdom.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Enayati said Tuesday’s visit focused on reviewing bilateral ties and cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Iran. He emphasized Tehran’s commitment to strengthening relations with Riyadh and neighboring countries based on good neighborliness and shared interests.

During the visit, Araghchi held a series of high-level meetings with key Saudi officials, including Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, and Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.

Enayati said Iran is ready to broaden cooperation with Saudi Arabia across economic, trade, and cultural sectors. He highlighted that the Crown Prince expressed satisfaction with the growing understanding and collaboration between the two leading Muslim nations.

The ambassador, who attended the meetings, added that the Crown Prince reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s determination to continue advancing this path and develop relations in all fields.

Enayati also recalled Saudi Arabia’s condemnation of military aggression against Iran’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

He said the Crown Prince stressed that regional security and stability depend on cooperation and understanding among countries in the region. This includes leveraging all capabilities to prevent escalation and insecurity and prioritizing diplomatic tools to resolve disputes, according to Iran’s envoy.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed hope that the recently agreed ceasefire will help foster security and stability across the region, Saudi state news agency SPA reported.

During a reception for Araghchi in Jeddah, the Crown Prince reaffirmed Riyadh’s support for resolving disputes through diplomatic dialogue, describing it as the best path to lasting peace.

Araghchi thanked Saudi Arabia for its condemnation of Israeli aggression and praised the Crown Prince’s efforts to bolster regional security and stability.

Enayati conveyed Araghchi’s praise for “fruitful” security and defense consultations between the two countries.

Enayati described a recent visit to Tehran by Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman as “highly significant and effective in advancing cooperation to strengthen regional security and stability.”

He added that Prince Khalid firmly condemned Israeli military aggression against Iran and extended condolences for the deaths of Iranian military and civilian figures in the attacks, according to the Iranian ambassador.

Prince Khalid took to X to outline the scope of his recent talks with Araghchi, emphasizing bilateral cooperation and regional security.

On his part, Enayati told Asharq Al-Awsat that Araghchi expressed gratitude to the Saudi government for its “valuable assistance” in facilitating the return of Iranian pilgrims amid disruptions caused by Israeli military aggression against Iran.

Enayati also relayed comments from Araghchi attributing recent Israeli attacks to what he described as the “impunity” enjoyed by the Israeli regime for its crimes against the Palestinian people and ongoing aggression toward other regional states.

The Iranian foreign minister strongly condemned the continued killing and displacement of Palestinians and the ongoing occupation.

He further denounced Israel’s repeated strikes against Lebanon and Syria, condemning the United Nations Security Council’s “silence and inaction,” which he described as a key factor in regional insecurity.