Democrats Disagree Over Relationship with Saudi Arabia

US Representative Adam Smith (Reuters)
US Representative Adam Smith (Reuters)
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Democrats Disagree Over Relationship with Saudi Arabia

US Representative Adam Smith (Reuters)
US Representative Adam Smith (Reuters)

US Democratic Representatives have tackled the Saudi-US relationship, with Representative Adam Smith warning against launching vague and incomprehensible threats against Saudi Arabia.

Earlier, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said President Joe Biden is willing to begin reevaluating the US-Saudi ties after the Kingdom and its oil-exporting allies announced production cuts of two million barrels per day.

In statements to CNN, Smith stressed that it is necessary to understand how Saudi Arabia views the situation in Yemen, and Saudi officials felt that the US did not help them while they were being attacked.

He criticized the vague statements on the reassessment of US relations with Saudi Arabia, saying some are demanding a freeze, which he does not understand.

Smith was referring to the statements of the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Bob Menendez, who demanded a freeze of cooperation with Saudi Arabia, including arms sales.

He criticized the statements of Menendez - who is also a Democrat - saying they have no clear definition of the meaning of the freeze in relations, adding that suspension of arms sales would allow Saudi Arabia to have closer relationships with Russia and China.

Smith explained that if the US suspended the arms deal with Saudi Arabia, it would buy weapons from other countries, such as Russia and China, warning that Beijing might seize the opportunity to enter the largest market in the Middle East, which would constitute a big challenge for Washington.

In another interview with CNN, Kirby said about Saudi Arabia that “the President has been very clear that this is a relationship that the US needs to continue to reevaluate.”

"I think that is where he is, and he is willing to work with Congress to think through what that relationship ought to look like going forward," he said.

US observers described the Biden administration as "blundering," noting that it tries to escape crises by blaming other parties.

They indicated that Biden previously blamed the Russian President and the Russian-Ukrainian war for the rise in oil prices last summer, and now he blames Saudi Arabia.

They believe Biden is trying to deflect attention from criticism of his economic policies and push a massive financial aid package in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, in addition to the student debt relief, bringing the national debt to unprecedented levels, surpassing $31 trillion.



Kuwait Ports Authority Says Drones Struck Shuwaikh Port

Smoke rises from a high-rise building following a drone attack in Kuwait City on March 8, 2026. (AFP/file photo)
Smoke rises from a high-rise building following a drone attack in Kuwait City on March 8, 2026. (AFP/file photo)
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Kuwait Ports Authority Says Drones Struck Shuwaikh Port

Smoke rises from a high-rise building following a drone attack in Kuwait City on March 8, 2026. (AFP/file photo)
Smoke rises from a high-rise building following a drone attack in Kuwait City on March 8, 2026. (AFP/file photo)

The Kuwait Ports Authority said on Friday that its main commercial Shuwaikh Port was targeted in a drone attack, resulting in material damage but no human casualties.

The authority added in a statement that it had activated the emergency procedures in place for such situations, in coordination with the relevant authorities.

Iran pressed on with its assaults in the Gulf in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes.


Saudi Arabia Urges Its Nationals in Lebanon to Leave Immediately

Saudi Embassy in Beirut (Reuters)
Saudi Embassy in Beirut (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Urges Its Nationals in Lebanon to Leave Immediately

Saudi Embassy in Beirut (Reuters)
Saudi Embassy in Beirut (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia on Friday renewed calls on Saudi nationals currently present in Lebanon to leave the country immediately because of the security situation there.

In a statement on its social media platform X, the Saudi Embassy in Beirut urged its citizens to comply with the travel ban to Lebanon and called on all nationals currently present in the country to leave immediately citing the security developments.

The embassy emphasized the need to contact it in case of any emergency, wishing safety and security for all.


Kuwait Dismantles Iranian Cell, Bahrain Refers Collaborators to Judiciary

An Iranian rocket is intercepted over Abu Dhabi. (AFP)
An Iranian rocket is intercepted over Abu Dhabi. (AFP)
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Kuwait Dismantles Iranian Cell, Bahrain Refers Collaborators to Judiciary

An Iranian rocket is intercepted over Abu Dhabi. (AFP)
An Iranian rocket is intercepted over Abu Dhabi. (AFP)

Kuwait announced on Thursday that it busted a cell associated with Iran, while Bahrain referred collaborators with Tehran to the judiciary, reflecting the readiness of Gulf countries to deal with threats to their stability and security and to protect their higher interests.

Kuwaiti authorities said they thwarted a terrorist plot to carry out assassinations of state figures and leaders.

They detained a cell that includes a number of Kuwaitis working for Hezbollah, they added.

The cell was also tasked with recruiting people to carry out their attacks with the aim of harming higher national interests.

Kuwait had busted a similar cell just days ago.

Kuwait’s defenses also shot down on Thursday hostile rockets and drones that had breached its airspace.

In Bahrain, authorities arrested a cell accused of collaborating with Iran. It referred to the judiciary 14 people for contacting the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC).

The detainees received assistance and funds to support operations against Kuwait, saying the IRGC had tasked them with sending photos and information.

One of the detainees took photos and sent coordinates of vital installations to the Guards, said Manama. The IRGC had used the information received from the cell to carry out attacks against Bahrain.

On March 12, the interior ministry announced that it had arrested four citizens for collaborating with the IRGC. Two days prior, it arrested six people for sharing photos of damage caused by Iranian attacks and voicing sympathy with Tehran and its hostile activities.

On Thursday, Bahrain’s defenses downed a rocket and 19 drones. Authorities said they will continue to confront Iran’s heinous terrorist attacks.

Bahrain has so far destroyed 154 rockets and 350 drones since the hostilities began.

In the UAE, authorities said a person was killed and three wounded from falling shrapnel from a downed ballistic missile in Abu Dhabi. Several vehicles were also damaged in the incident.

Emirati defenses downed 15 ballistic missiles and 11 drones fired from Iran in recent hours.

Since the eruption of the conflict, defenses downed 372 ballistic missiles and 1,826 drones from Iran. Two members of the armed forces were killed while performing their national duties.