Raisi Tackles Political, Economic Issues in Visit to Oman

A handout picture provided by the Iranian presidency shows Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tarik Al Said (C R) welcoming Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi (C L) at the airport in the Omani capital Muscat, on May 23, 2022. (Iranian Presidency/AFP)
A handout picture provided by the Iranian presidency shows Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tarik Al Said (C R) welcoming Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi (C L) at the airport in the Omani capital Muscat, on May 23, 2022. (Iranian Presidency/AFP)
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Raisi Tackles Political, Economic Issues in Visit to Oman

A handout picture provided by the Iranian presidency shows Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tarik Al Said (C R) welcoming Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi (C L) at the airport in the Omani capital Muscat, on May 23, 2022. (Iranian Presidency/AFP)
A handout picture provided by the Iranian presidency shows Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tarik Al Said (C R) welcoming Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi (C L) at the airport in the Omani capital Muscat, on May 23, 2022. (Iranian Presidency/AFP)

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi and Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tarik on Monday discussed several political and economic issues, during a short one-day visit paid by Raisi to the Omani capital, Muscat.

Even though the meeting focused on trade and economic issues, political files were also topped the agenda of discussions.

This is second visit Raisi has paid to a Gulf country since becoming president in August 2021. He visited Qatar in February, where he met Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and took part in a conference of gas exporting countries.

Before Raisi arrived in Muscat, several Iranian ministers, such as the oil and economy ministers, accompanied by over 50 businessmen traveled to the Omani capital.

Raisi's one-day trip comes at a time when renewed talks on restoring the Iranian nuclear deal are at a stalemate.

Oman played a mediating role between Tehran and Washington in the build-up to the original agreement in 2015.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Monday that “the Sultanate of Oman has always worked to play a positive role in regional equations, away from alignments, conflicts and polarizations.”

“Iran attaches great importance to the policy of the Sultanate of Oman, which is characterized by balance to solve problems,” the official IRNA news agency quoted him as saying regarding the settlement of regional crises.

Amir-Abdollahian praised Oman's “prominent and active” role in diplomacy, opening the way for dialogue and establishing peace, pointing out that relations between Iran and the Sultanate are progressing.

“Oman is an old friend and partner of Iran that not only enjoys great potential in the political and economic fields, but also creates countless opportunities for regional development due to its geopolitical and geostrategic locations,” said the top Iranian diplomat.



OIC Condemns Israel’s Targeting of School for Displaced Persons in Gaza City

Members of the Palestinian Civil Defense remove the rubble of a destroyed home as they search for the bodies of Palestinians killed during the conflict in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, 20 December 2025. (EPA)
Members of the Palestinian Civil Defense remove the rubble of a destroyed home as they search for the bodies of Palestinians killed during the conflict in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, 20 December 2025. (EPA)
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OIC Condemns Israel’s Targeting of School for Displaced Persons in Gaza City

Members of the Palestinian Civil Defense remove the rubble of a destroyed home as they search for the bodies of Palestinians killed during the conflict in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, 20 December 2025. (EPA)
Members of the Palestinian Civil Defense remove the rubble of a destroyed home as they search for the bodies of Palestinians killed during the conflict in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, 20 December 2025. (EPA)

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) strongly condemned on Sunday the continued crimes committed by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip, most recently the shelling of a school sheltering displaced persons.

Seven Palestinians were killed and dozens of civilians were injured in the attack, which the OIC slammed as a “flagrant violation of international humanitarian law”.

The OIC renewed its call on the international community, particularly the UN Security Council, “to assume its responsibilities by putting an end to all Israeli crimes and violations, securing a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire, ensuring sufficient and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance, and guaranteeing the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.”

It further emphasized “the need to activate international criminal justice mechanisms to pursue and hold accountable all Israeli officials involved in committing these grave crimes and to ensure that they do not evade punishment.”


UAE, French Presidents Discuss Bilateral Ties

United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. (WAM)
United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. (WAM)
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UAE, French Presidents Discuss Bilateral Ties

United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. (WAM)
United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and French President Emmanuel Macron meet in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. (WAM)

United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received in Abu Dhabi on Sunday French President Emmanuel Macron who is on a working visit to the UAE.

Meeting at the Zayed National Museum, the leaders discussed the historical and strategic relations between the UAE and France and explored opportunities to further strengthen ties, particularly in the fields of economy, investment, and culture, as well as renewable energy, advanced technology, artificial intelligence, sustainability, and other areas aligned with the two countries’ shared vision for development and prosperity.

The meeting was attended by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; a number of minister and senior officials, reported the UAE's state news agency (WAM).

The meeting was also attended by the delegation accompanying the French President, which included a number of ministers and senior officials.

The UAE President hosted a luncheon in honor of Macron and the accompanying delegation.

Macron arrived in the UAE earlier on Sunday, where he was received at the Presidential Flight in Abu Dhabi by Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and several senior officials.


Saudi Arabia Opens New Emergency Camp in Gaza for Families Displaced by Storms

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) established a new emergency camp in central Gaza Strip providing shelter for hundreds of recently displaced families. (SPA)
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) established a new emergency camp in central Gaza Strip providing shelter for hundreds of recently displaced families. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Opens New Emergency Camp in Gaza for Families Displaced by Storms

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) established a new emergency camp in central Gaza Strip providing shelter for hundreds of recently displaced families. (SPA)
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) established a new emergency camp in central Gaza Strip providing shelter for hundreds of recently displaced families. (SPA)

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) established a new emergency camp in the central Gaza Strip, providing immediate shelter with more than 250 tents for hundreds of recently displaced families. The move is part of the ongoing Saudi fundraising campaign to aid the Palestinian people.

Overseen by the Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage, KSrelief’s implementing partner, the camp was fast-tracked to support families whose temporary shelters were destroyed by recent severe weather, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Field reports indicate that heavy storms and flooding have decimated hundreds of tents across the region, significantly worsening the already dire humanitarian crisis.

Affected families expressed their gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, describing the aid as a "lifeline" that restored a sense of security. Families noted that the new shelters have provided vital protection against the harsh winter conditions and volatile weather that had previously left them exposed during an arduous period of hardship.

This initiative is a continuation of the Kingdom’s steadfast commitment to the Palestinian people. By providing essential relief and high-quality shelter, KSrelief aims to alleviate the suffering of families facing unprecedented humanitarian challenges.